Interdisciplinary Minor
The Middle East and South Asia Studies Program began as an interdisciplinary minor in 2004. Since that time, the Program has grown rapidly to include twenty-three faculty members distributed across ten departments of the college and the Divinity School and to graduate around 20 students each year. The Program also administers summer study abroad programs in Morocco, India, Nepal, Indonesia, and Egypt and mentors students’ study abroad experiences and overseas research across the region. Intended as an interdisciplinary space for faculty and students with an academic interest across regions that encompasses the Middle East and South Asia, the Program regularly sponsors guest lectures, film series, workshops, and international conferences on the campus of Wake Forest University.
The Middle East and South Asia Studies Program maintains institutional affiliations with the American Institute for Maghribi Studies (AIMS), the American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS), the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS), and the American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies (AISLS).
Program of Study GPA Calculation
All courses offered by the department of the student’s program of study as well as all courses offered by departments outside of the student’s program of study that could potentially fulfill a program of study requirement will be utilized in the calculation of the student’s program of study GPA.
Contact Information
Arabic (ARB)
ARB 111. Elementary Arabic I. (3 h)
The first semester of a two-semester course designed for students with no or very limited knowledge of the language. Introduction to Arabic sounds and script as well as basic grammar, with oral and written drills and reading of simple texts. Focus is on laying the foundation for reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in Modern Standard Arabic.
ARB 112. Elementary Arabic II. (3 h)
The second semester of a two-semester course designed for students with no or very limited knowledge of the language. Mastery of Arabic sounds and script is assumed. Building of vocabulary and grammar through oral and written drills and reading of simple texts. Focus is on developing proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in Modern Standard Arabic. P-ARB 111.
ARB 153. Intermediate Arabic I. (4 h)
Review of grammar and focus on the acquisition of more complex grammatical structures, vocabulary building, and expansion of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in Modern Standard Arabic. P-ARB 112.
ARB 201. Intermediate Arabic II. (3 h)
Further building of vocabulary and grammar and expansion of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in Modern Standard Arabic. P-ARB 153.
ARB 218. Standard Arabic Conversation I. (3 h)
A language course based on cultural material intended to develop students' aural skills and oral proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic by increasing vocabulary and reinforcing command of grammar. P-ARB 153.
ARB 219. Standard Arabic Conversation II. (3 h)
A continuation of ARB 218. P-ARB 218 or prerequisite override required.
ARB 221. Colloquial Arabic Conversation I. (3 h)
Focus on a particular regional dialect of Arabic (e.g., Egyptian, Levantine, Iraqi, Gulf. or North African) to give students the listening and speaking skills necessary to communicate in everyday language in informal situations. Designed for students with no knowledge of the particular dialect being taugth. Course may be repeated for credit for a different Arabic dialect. P-ARB 153 or prerequisite override required.
ARB 222. Colloquial Arabic Conversation II. (3 h)
A continuation of ARB 221. Designed for students with elementary knowledge of the dialect being taught. Course may be repeated for credit for a different Arabic dialect. P-ARB 221 in the same dialect or prerequisite override required.
ARB 230. Upper Intermediate Arabic I. (3 h)
With an emphasis on speaking and writing, this course will develop students’ oral and written proficiency on an upper intermediate level of fluency. P-ARB 201.
ARB 250. Classical Arab-Islamic Civilization through Literature. (3 h)
Examines how Arabs and Muslims in classical and medieval times (600-1400 A.D.) approached the pleasures of worldly life, organized their social domain by ethics/law, constructed their worldview through religion, reacted to nature by science, and attempted to resolve their cultural inconsistencies through theology, philosophy, and mysticism. (CD, D)
ARB 251. Modern Arab World through Literature. (3 h)
Study of the global significance of the 330 million Arabs as the fourth largest community in the world and Arabic as the fifth most widely spoken language from a historical and thematic perspective (1400 A.D to the present) through literary selections covering the periods of premodernity, Arab renaissance, colonialism, state-building, and globalization. (CD, D)
ARB 253. North African Cinema. (3 h)
Examines contemporary North Africa through film. Explores themes such as colonialism, religion, war, identity politics, sexuality and gender dynamics, border crossing, and the so-called Arab Spring. No knowledge of Arabic required.
ARB 255. Food Cultures of the Arab World. (3 h)
Explores the culinary cultures of the Arab Middle East and North Africa and provides students with an in-depth understanding of the role of food in regional societies and economies. Students will periodically prepare Arab food and share meals. No knowledge of Arabic required.
ARB 288. Individual Study in Arabic Language or Cultural Studies. (1-3 h)
Course may be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours. P-Prerequisite override required.
ARB 301. Advanced Arabic I. (3 h)
This course will develop students' oral, written, and reading proficiency on an advanced level of fluency. P - ARB 231.
ARB 305. Special Topics in Arabic. (1-3 h)
Arabic language study with a particular limited focus, e.g., Quranic Arabic, composition, grammar, novels. May be repeated for credit if topic varies. P-ARB 153, 201, or prerequisite override required depending on the topic.
ARB 306. Special Topics in Arabic Studies. (3 h)
Course in English offering in-depth study of particular aspects of Arabic language, literature or culture not included in the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
ARB 324. Introduction to Arabic Literature. (3 h)
Reading of selected texts in Arabic, ranging from pre-Islamic poetry to the Quran and Prophetic Hadiths to medieval fiction, nonfiction works like biographies and travel literature, and modern short stories, for the purpose of building vocabulary and reading skills, expanding knowledge of grammatical structures and literary genres, and deepening cultural understanding. P - ARB 231 or equivalent.
ARB 325. Multimedia Arabic. (3 h)
With a focus on current affairs in the Middle East and the Arabic-speaking world, students will read, listen to, and view authentic materials from various print and electronic media in Arabic. P - ARB 231.
Hindi-Urdu (HNU)
HNU 111. Elementary Hindi-Urdu I. (3 h)
Introduction to modern Hindi-Urdu. Designed for students with no knowledge of the language. Focus is on developing reading, writing, and conversation skills for practical contexts. Instruction in the Devanagari and Nastaliq scripts and the cultures of Indian and Pakistan. Fall only.
HNU 112. Elementary Hindi-Urdu II. (3 h)
Continued instruction in modern Hindi-Urdu. Students with previous background may place into this course with the instructor’s permission. Focus is on developing reading, writing, and conversation skills for practical contexts. Instruction in the Devanagari and Nastaliq scripts and the cultures of India and Pakistan. Spring only. P-HNU 111.
HNU 140. Introduction to the Hindi script (Devanagari). (1 h)
Introduction to the Devanagari writing system used in Hindi, as well as other South Asian languages, including Nepali and Sanskrit. Includes an overview of the Hindi-Urdu sound system and language. Students with prior proficiency in spoken Hindi or Urdu may complete this course in preparation for entering Intermediate Hindi-Urdu (HNU 153 and 201).
HNU 141. Introduction to the Urdu script (Nastaliq). (1 h)
Introduction to the Nastaliq writing system used in Urdu, as well as Persian, Punjabi, and Kashmiri. Includes an overview of the Hindi-Urdu sound system and language. Students with prior proficiency in spoken Hindi or Urdu may complete this course in preparation for entering Intermediate Hindi-Urdu (HNU 153 and 201).
HNU 153. Intermediate Hindi-Urdu I. (3 h)
Second year of modern Hindi-Urdu. Students with comparable proficiency may place into this course with the instructor’s permission. Focus is on building oral and written communication skills in a range of contexts. Exploration of the cultures of India and Pakistan through discussions of authentic materials. Instruction in Devanagari and Nastaliq scripts. Fall only. P-HNU 112.
HNU 201. Intermediate Hindi-Urdu II. (3 h)
Continued intermediate instruction in spoken and written Hindi-Urdu. Students with previous background may place into this course with the instructor’s permission. Focus is on building oral and written communication skills in a range of contexts. Exploration of the cultures of India and Pakistan through discussions of authentic materials. Instruction in Devanagari and Nastaliq scripts. Spring only. P-HNU 153.
HNU 230. Advanced Hindi-Urdu I. (1-3 h)
Third year of modern Hindi-Urdu. Focuses on interpreting authentic written and audiovisual materials, as well as developing accuracy and fluency in oral and written communication. Instruction in Devanagari and Nastaliq scripts. P-HNU 201 or prerequisite override required.
HNU 231. Advanced Hindi-Urdu II. (1-3 h)
Continuation of HNU 230. P-Prerequisite override required.
HNU 250. Devotional Literature in South Asia. (3 h)
Explores literature from multiple devotional traditions in India, Pakistan, and other South Asian countries. Considers aesthetic, socio-political, and philosophical developments. No knowledge of South Asian languages required. (CD, D, SWC)
HNU 251. Themes in Modern South Asian Literature. (3 h)
Study of modern South Asia through fiction, poetry, and film. Focuses on social, cultural and political developments reflected in these works. Considers post-colonialism, nationalism, gender and sexuality, race and caste, and religious communalism. No knowledge of South Asian languages required. (D, SWC)
HNU 288. Individual Study in Hindi-Urdu Language or Cultural Studies. (1-3 h)
Course may be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours. P-Prerequisite override required.
HNU 305. Special Topics in Hindi-Urdu. (1-3 h)
Taught in Hindi-Urdu. Selected themes and approaches to Hindi-Urdu language, culture, literature, drama, and/or film. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
HNU 306. Special Topics in Hindi-Urdu Studies. (1-3 h)
Taught in English. Selected themes and approaches to Hindi-Urdu literature, culture, drama, and/or film not included in the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
Middle East and South Asia Studies (MES)
MES 110. Introductory Topics in Middle East and South Asia Studies. (1-3 h)
Introductory level course on selected topics in Middle East and South Asia Studies. May be repeated for credit if course content differs. (CD)
MES 210. Intermediate Topics in Middle East and South Asia Studies. (1-3 h)
Intermediate level course on selected topics in Middle East and South Asia Studies. May be repeated for credit if course content differs. (CD)
MES 260. Mind, Brain, A.I.: How Language Works. (3 h)
Examines the cognitive mechanisms and neural machinery underlying our unique human capacity for language. Explores the question of A.I. language “comprehension” and “production” as compared to human language capacity. Addresses bioethical and social questions related to neurolinguistic research and A.I. development.
MES 310. Advanced Topics in Middle East and South Asia Studies. (1-3 h)
Advanced level course in selected topics in Middle East and South Asia Studies. May be repeated for credit if course content differs. (CD)
MES 390. Individual Study. (1-3 h)
Designed to meet the needs and interests of selected students who have declared the minor. Carried out under the supervision of a faculty member affiliated with the Middle East and South Asia Studies program. P-Prerequisite override required.