Middle East Studies
About Our Program
The Middle East Studies Program/major involves the study of the history, politics, cultures, religions and languages of one of the most complex and critical regions of the world. The Middle East Studies major seeks to understand questions of democratization political violence the role of religion ideology, and the role of tradition and history in shaping the physical and psychological make-up of the region. While the program is of special interest to students who plan careers in government service or business, majoring in Middle East Studies meshes with and complements well other areas of study, such as International Relations, Global Studies, Political Science, History and International Business, to name a few.
Career choices include State Department area specialist, diplomatic service (national and international), policy adviser, policy analyst, federal, state and local government service and teaching. This major with a B.A. Degree can lead to advanced degree programs in Middle East Studies, International Relations, Comparative Politics and Global Studies.
The Middle East Studies Program has its academic "home" in the Department of Political Science and Economics.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Middle East Studies major requirements, students should be
proficient in the following areas and be able to:
1. Distinguish between the main tenets of the major religions of the Middle East
2. Explain the differences and similarities between the political systems of the Middle
East
3. Correlate the role of religion, ideology and culture to the notions of modernization
and
Degrees We Offer
We offer an Associate (AA) Degree in Middle East Studies and a Certificate in Middle East Studies.
Contact Information / Program Director:
Dr. Manoutchehr Eskandari-Qajar
Email: eskandar@sbcc.edu
For additional contact information and department faculty, please click on "Middle East Studies +" at the top of the page, and select the "Faculty and Staff" link.
Honors and Awards
Each Spring Semester, one outstanding student in Middle East Studies is chosen by
the Director of the program and recognized at the Outstanding Students Awards Banquet
as the "Outstanding Student in Middle East Studies." This student will also be given
the "Margareta Jamner Middle East Studies Student of the Year Award," named in honor
of Margareta Jamner, benefactor and first graduate of the Middle East Studies program
at SBCC. This award was permanently endowed in 2008 by Mrs. Jamner to give students
a $500 award for this achievement each year.
Each Spring Semester, students may also apply for one of three prestigious scholarships in Middle East Studies in the amount of $1,000 each. Details on how to qualify and apply for these scholarships can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.
Transfer Opportunities
SBCC's Middle East Studies Program is fully articulated with the UC and CSU systems.
Students in the program will have satisfied most if not all lower division requirements
for the respective majors at four-year schools, such as UCSB's Islamic and Near Eastern
Studies Program and major. For transfer details, please consult with the Counseling
Center in the Student Services Building (East Campus).
