The Undergraduate Concentration
in Near Eastern Civilizations

The purpose of this concentration is to provide the student with an intensive survey of the literatures, histories, cultures, and religions of the ancient Near East and the medieval and modern Middle East but without the language component of the other program concentrations. The student who wishes to declare a concentration in Near Eastern Civilizations (NEC) may substitute for the four terms of language an equal number of courses in literature, history, or culture and religion. The NEC concentrator must complete at least six of the ten total courses in one of the three subjects within the department, ACABS, AAPTIS, or HJCS; three of these must be at the 400-500 level. At least one course must be taken in each of the other subjects. In addition, the student must take two cognate courses at the 300 level or above in subjects other than the main subject in N. Eastern Studies, or outside of the department. Students are strongly encouraged to take ACABS 425/ AAPTIS 425/ HJCS 425: Near Eastern Studies Capstone Seminar as a cognate. The cognate courses must be approved by the concentration advisor.

As with the other concentrations, the minimum number of credit hours for NEC is 30 and the prerequisite course is ACABS 100/ AAPTIS 100/ HJCS 100/ HISTORY 132, Peoples of the Middle East. Honors is not normally awarded to the student in NEC, although petitions for exceptions can be made to the director of undergraduate studies. To declare this concentration, the student must obtain approval from the concentration advisor.

NEC Requirements in summary:

1. Prerequisites
    a. Approval of concentration advisor.
    b. ACABS 100/ AAPTIS 100/ HJCS 100: Peoples of the Middle East.

2. Distribution by Subject
    a. Six of ten courses in one subject.
    b. A minimum of two other courses with one in each of the other two subjects.
    c. Two cognate courses outside the main subject.
    Recommended Cognate: ACABS 425/ AAPTIS 425/ HJCS 425:
    Near Eastern Studies Capstone Seminar.

3. Levels Distribution
    a. Five of ten at 400-500 level.
    b. Three at the 400-500 level in the subject where the six courses are selected.
    c. At least one each at 100-, 200-, and 300-level.

The Honors Concentration

Although Honors in not normally awarded in NEC, petitions for exceptions can be made to the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Study Abroad

The department has affiliations with several universities and programs abroad, and concentrators are strongly encouraged to spend all or part of an academic year overseas in order to further their formal training. In addition to consulting the University of Michigan's Office of International Programs, the International Center and the International Institute, NEC concentrators should contact their concentration advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies concerning such a course of study. A program should be decided upon in advance in order to ensure that transfer credit can be awarded and that courses will satisfy concentration requirements.

Academic Advising

Students interested in the department's Near Eastern Civilizations concentration program in Near Eastern Studies, should contact the NEC concentration advisor through the Department's undergraduate secretary at the departmental office (4111 Thayer Bldg.), or by phone at (734) 764-0314. Students who plan to complete a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in NES must complete the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LS&A) declaration form supplied by the advisor.