• strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/dmurray_ls/iastp.lscrtest.com/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_argument::init() should be compatible with views_handler::init(&$view, $options) in /home/dmurray_ls/iastp.lscrtest.com/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_argument.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_validate() should be compatible with views_handler::options_validate($form, &$form_state) in /home/dmurray_ls/iastp.lscrtest.com/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_handler_filter::options_submit() should be compatible with views_handler::options_submit($form, &$form_state) in /home/dmurray_ls/iastp.lscrtest.com/sites/all/modules/views/handlers/views_handler_filter.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_style_default::options() should be compatible with views_object::options() in /home/dmurray_ls/iastp.lscrtest.com/sites/all/modules/views/plugins/views_plugin_style_default.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_row::options_validate() should be compatible with views_plugin::options_validate(&$form, &$form_state) in /home/dmurray_ls/iastp.lscrtest.com/sites/all/modules/views/plugins/views_plugin_row.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_row::options_submit() should be compatible with views_plugin::options_submit(&$form, &$form_state) in /home/dmurray_ls/iastp.lscrtest.com/sites/all/modules/views/plugins/views_plugin_row.inc on line 0.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/dmurray_ls/iastp.lscrtest.com/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Non-static method view::load() should not be called statically in /home/dmurray_ls/iastp.lscrtest.com/sites/all/modules/views/views.module on line 906.
  • strict warning: Declaration of date_handler_field_multiple::pre_render() should be compatible with content_handler_field_multiple::pre_render($values) in /home/dmurray_ls/iastp.lscrtest.com/sites/all/modules/date/date/date_handler_field_multiple.inc on line 0.

Middle Eastern Studies

Lower Division Courses

MES 10 : Social Issues in Middle Eastern Studies (4 units)
Prerequisites: None

This is a lower division interdisciplinary course about contemporary social issues relating to the Middle East. The intended audience is majors and prospective majors in Middle Eastern Studies, Political Economy, Development Studies and Near Eastern Studies, as well as other interested students. It introduces regional and international questions such as: (1) the political economy of development; (2) identity issues, including ethnicity, nationality and religious revival; and (3) family and community affairs.

MES 20 : Perspectives on the Middle East (2 units)
Prerequisites: None

A weekly seminar including guest speakers on (1) ethnic perspectives (Persians, Arabs, Turks, Israelis); (2) religious perspectives (Islam, Christianity, Judaism); and (3) disciplinary perspectives (anthropology, sociology, etc.). The seminar introduces students to the work of several major Berkeley Middle East scholars. Enrollment preference is given to lower division students and prospective Middle Eastern Studies majors.

MES 24 : Freshman Seminar (1 unit)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

The Freshman Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small seminar setting. Freshman seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment is limited to 15 freshmen. Sections 1-2 to be graded on a letter-grade basis. Sections 3-4 to be graded on a passed/not passed basis. Course may be repeated for credit as topic varies.

MES 98 : Directed Group Study for Lower Division Students (1-4 units)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Must be taken on a passed/not passed basis. Seminars in various fields of Middle East studies designed to introduce beginning undergraduates to problems of importance to students interested in the Middle East. Topics vary from semester to semester. Course may be repeated for credit with different instructor.

Upper Division Courses

MES 102 : Scope and Methods of Research in Middle Eastern Studies (4 units)
Prerequisites: Upper division standing

Required for all students majoring in Middle Eastern Studies, open to all students in International and Area Studies Teaching Program focusing on the Middle East interdisciplinary research strategies for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data. Course integrates the study of the fundamental theories of social science, with the practical techniques of social science research methods. Students will receive no credit for 102 after taking Political Economy of Industrial Societies 102, or International and Area Studies 102 or 118.

MES 109 : Model Arab League (3 units)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Must be taken on a passed/not passed basis. The Model Arab League is a simulation of the League of Arab States similar to the Model United Nations. Class meetings will be for familiarization of relevant political perspectives within the context of the Arab world. Students learn parliamentary procedure and to prepare resolutions. Each student is assigned to a committee and is responsible for participating in the development of the committee's resolution and its presentation at the Model Arab League.

MES 130 : Cross Listed Topics (1-4 units)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

This course is designed to accommodate cross-listed courses offered through other departments, the content of which is applicable to Middle Eastern Studies majors. Content and unit values vary from course to course. Course may be repeated for credit.

MES 150 : Advanced Study in the Middle East (4 units)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Advanced research in current issues of Middle Eastern Studies. Seminars will focus on specific areas or topics with appropriate comparative material included. A major research project is required as well as class presentations. Topics to vary from semester to semester.(All levels except freshmen may enroll. An ability to engage in advanced social science readings and analysis is a prerequisite.)

MES 190 : Senior Thesis (1-4 units)
Prerequisites: Senior standing; one year of language in the major; at least fifteen upper division units in the major; Near Eastern Studies 10 or MES 10

With the guidance of a faculty member of the program, the preparation and presentation of a senior thesis pertaining to the student's individual area of concentration within the Middle Eastern Studies major. Final paper required. Units determined in consultation with instructor.

MES H195 : Honors in Middle Eastern Studies (4 units)
Prerequisites: MES 102; senior standing with a grade point average of 3.6 in the major and 3.5 overall; consent of instructor

This course is the second of a two-semester senior honors program and culminates in the completion of a senior thesis. The thesis project begins with 102, which must be successfully completed before enrollment in H195. During this semester, an honors thesis of approximately 50-75 pages is completed under the direct supervision of the instructor of the Honors seminar program in International and Area Studies and a faculty member appropriate to the student's interest.

MES 198 : Directed Group Study for Upper Division Students (1-4 units)
Prerequisites: Upper division standing and consent of instructor

Must be taken on a passed/not passed basis. Seminar for the group study of selected Middle Eastern related topics not covered by regularly scheduled courses. A written proposal must be approved by a Middle Eastern Studies faculty adviser. Final paper required. Units determined on consultation with instructor. Course may be repeated for credit.

MES 199 : Supervised Independent Study and Research (1-4 units)
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Must be taken on a passed/not passed basis. For students wishing to pursue an interest not represented in the curriculum by developing an individual program of study and research supervised by a faculty member. A written proposal must be approved by a Middle Eastern Studies faculty adviser. Final paper required. Units determined on consultation with instructor. Course may be repeated for credit.