Middle Eastern Studies, BS

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the Middle Eastern Studies program is to prepare students for international ministry opportunities, particularly in the Middle East. The program includes a year of study in Israel at Jerusalem University College (JUC), an evangelical institution with which Columbia International University has a consortial relationship. While in Israel, students will be placed in Jewish or Arab ministry contexts to develop their ministry skills according to their vocational goals.

In addition to the mission statement, general objectives, and requirements of the college, the objectives of the Middle Eastern Studies program are to develop in students the skills and knowledge necessary to:

Gain experience in Middle Eastern life and culture.
Develop cross-cultural communication and ministry skills.
Understand more clearly the beliefs and practices of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Acquire a firsthand knowledge of the geography of Israel, Egypt, and Jordan.

See Undergraduate Core for graduation requirements.

Note: There may be times when the political unrest in the Middle East forces JUC to discontinue classes for a semester or longer. Consult the program director for the current status of studies at Jerusalem University College. Study at JUC requires a separate application process, and acceptance into CIU does not imply or guarantee acceptance into JUC. Please consult the program director for details.

Course of Study (120)

Degree Core (54-55)

Math (3) - Choose one of the following:

The following majors are designated: Philosophy Majors must select PHI 2610, Business Administration - MAT 1110, Educational Studies - MAT 1110, Psychology and Health Sciences - MAT 2100, Teacher Education - MAT 1110
MAT 1110 - College Algebra Credits: 3
MAT 2100 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 3
PHI 2610 - Introduction to Logic Credits: 3

Culture and Arts (3) - Choose one of the following:

Humanities Majors must select MUS 2110
ART 2110 - Art Appreciation Credits: 3
MUS 2110 - Music Appreciation Credits: 3

History (3) - Choose one of the following:

The following majors are designated: Business Administration and Teacher Education - HIS 1110
HIS 1110 - Introduction to World History Credits: 3
HIS 2310 - United States History and Government Credits: 3
HIS 2400 - Ancient Rome: Empire of Civilizations Credits: 3

Science (3) - Choose one of the following:

The following majors are designated: Teacher Education - BIO 2113; Health Sciences - BIO 2210 and BIO 2111
BIO 1100 - Introduction to Human Biology Credits: 3
BIO 2113 - Introduction to Biology Credits: 3
CHY 1100 - Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry Credits: 3
NTR 2110 - Introduction to Nutrition Credits: 3
PHE 2120 - Health Science & Personal Wellness Credits: 3

Leadership Development and Spiritual Formation (6)

CSL 0101 - Christian Service Learning I Credits: 0
CSL 0201 - Christian Service Learning II Credits: 0
CSL 0202 - Christian Service Learning III Credits: 0
ICS 1210 - Discovering the Mission of God Credits: 3
MSD 1110 - Encountering Spiritual Formation Credits: 3

Middle Eastern Studies Major (36)

Foundation (18)

*Students also may have other course offered by JUC on the Modern Middle East to meet the foundation requirement for the MES major or minor currently met by either MECR 360 or MECR 365.

GEO 311 - Physical Settings of the Bible Credits: 4 [JUC course]
ICS 3110 - Introduction to World Religions Credits: 3 [CIU course]
ICS 3140 - Introduction to Cultures and Worldviews Credits: 3 [CIU course]
MECR 360 - Introduction to the Modern Middle East Credits: 3 [JUC course] *
or
MECR 365 - Palestinian Society and Politics Credits: 3 [JUC course] *
MECR 380 - Ministry Skills in Middle Eastern Studies Credits: 2 [taken twice at JUC]
MECR 381 - Practicum in Middle Eastern Studies Credits: 3 [JUC course]

Designated Electives (18)

*Other Jerusalem University College courses also meet this requirement. Consult the JUC catalog or website (www.juc.edu) for more information.

This major requires students to select 18 additional semester hours of courses in Middle Eastern Studies according to their vocational goals. Courses that meet this requirement include (but are not necessarily limited to) the following:

ARCH 300 - Biblical Archaeology I Credits: 3 *
BL 460 - Modern Standard Arabic I Credits: 3 *
BL 461 - Modern Standard Arabic II Credits: 3 *
HIST 321 - Cultural Background of the Bible Credits: 3 *
HIST 331 - History of the Second Temple Period Credits: 3 *
MECR 340 - History of the Church in the East Credits: 3 *
MECR 342 - History of the Holy Land from the Rise of Islam to 1948 Credits: 3
MECR 345 - Jewish Thought and Practice Credits: 3 *
MECR 347 - Islamic Thought and Practice Credits: 3 *
MECR 349 - Christian Communities in the Middle East Credits: 2 *
MECR 363 - Historical and Social Settings of Modern Israel Credits: 3 *

Open Electives (30)

Choose 10 courses from any department