Cradle of the world's three monotheistic religions, home to several wonders of ancient civilizations, birthplace of an early system of writing: the Middle East has long held a fancination for theologians, art historians, and linguists. More recently, events on the world stage have focused the attention of political scientists, sociologists, and economist on the Muslim experience beyond the Middle East. Thanks to a program established in 2003, Boston College students can learn from the latest scholarship in these and other disciplines, as well as gain critical insight into the forces that have shaped Islamic culture to this day.
The Middle Eastern and the Islamic Studies (MEIS) program, which inclues an interdisciplinary minor, draws upon existing expertise of the BC faculty and dovetails with the mission of a Jesuit Catholic university. "Boston College is fortunate to have several distinguished faculty - in fine arts, history, polictical science, and theology, to name a few - whose research has been focused on the Middele East and the Islamic world," notes Ali Banuazizi, professor of political science and one of the program's lead faculty members. "The program, therefore, not only leverages our strengths, but also is in line with the University's strategic goals."
Commited to a sustained, intellectual dialogue with other faiths, Boston College is in fact uniquely positioned to foster deeper understanding of the Middle East, where Judaism, Christianity, and Islam originated. Furthermore, one of the goals of the University's strategic plan is to become more international in its focus. Students who chose the MEIS minor are expected to attain proficiency in Arabic or another Middle Eastern language, and study abroad is strongly encouraged. The MEIS minor focuses not just on the Middle East but also on regions of the world where Islam has been a major religion or has significant presence; it also places emphasis on cultural and religionous aspects of life in the Muslim world. "The program is a bold new effort to represent the diversity of the Muslim experience," explains Kathleen Bailey '76, Ph.D. '01, associate professor of political science and another lead MEIS faculty member. "We explore many of the issues facing minorities in Muslim countries as well as Muslim minorities in the United States and Western Europe."
Thanks in part to the program's wide lens on the Muslim world, student interest in the minor has been strong. Some 60 students are enrolled currently in the MEIS minor, only a small handful of whom are heritage students (students who have a family connection to the Middle East). The student-initiated Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Student Association provide and additional opportunity for students to remain engaged with Islamic culture outside the classroom, by csponsoring lectures, visiting art exhibits, and serving as interpreters for students with Middle Eastern backgrounds in local schools.
Another aspect of the program that has contributed to MEIS's popularity - somewhat surprisingly - is the language requirement. "A number of students arrive at Boston College having studied Arabic in high school and eager to continue their studies at the college level," says Banuazizi. Others realize the competitive edge that proficiency in Arabic will provide them in the job market. As testament to the program's strength, Boston College welcomed two distinguished lecturers to the Heighst in 2007. In March, Barbara Bodine, the U.S. ambassador to Yemen from 1997 to 2001, lectured on the lessons and legacy of war in Iraq; in October, Itamar Rabinovich, Israel's ambassador to the United States from 1993 to 1996 and immediate past president of Tel Aviv University, gave a talk on the United States, Israel, and Syria in search of peace. Now in its fifth year, the program has grown to offer some 60 courses, taught by 25 faculty members representing nine different departments at Boston College. The key to its success - as evidenced by the strong interest of students and faculty alike - is the program's original, interdisciplinary approach to understanding both a region and a culture that current events call to our attention nearly every day.
Academic Disciplines Represented in the MEIS Program:
Economics
English
Fine Arts
History
Political Science
Romance Languages
Slavic and Eastern Languages
Sociology
Theology
Contact the BC Fund: 888-752-6438 or bcfund@bc.edu