Introduction

Please click here to see Political Science department information.

The Middle East features often in statements made by politicians, and stories from the region are a constant staple of the media. However, the region is still considered by many to be a "mystery." This perception is in part a result of the misrepresentation of the region and its peoples, in addition to the incessant regional political developments, especially during the current decade. The purpose of this certificate is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the politics of the region that goes beyond stereotypes disseminated by the media and manipulated by political and interest groups. It will introduce students to current research and practice concerning the complex interplay among the different peoples and the states of the Middle East, as well as the interaction between the region and the rest of the world. While the certificate will be issued and managed by the Political Science department, students can take courses from other departments and programs, for instance Geography, History, Modern Languages, Religious Studies and Women and Gender Studies. Graduate courses in the Political Science with a Middle East focus can also count toward the certificate. Such an interdisciplinary approach will expose students to a variety of perspectives on the study of the Middle East. It will also train students to investigate the interconnections among the different aspects of politics in the region.

Program Delivery

• The certificate is earned through our traditional on-campus courses. 

Declaring This Certificate

Students interested in completing this certificate should complete this form: CLAS Undergraduate Certificate Intent to Declare Form, which requests that the certificate be added to your student record. Once added, you will be able to run a certificate degree audit. The certificate degree audit should be used in collaboration with the Certificate Advisor to ensure successful completion of the requirements.

Students should then work with Bassem Hassan (bassem.hassan@ucdenver.edu) – the certificate advisor, to ensure completion of all certificate requirements.

Completing This Certificate

Students must also complete the CLAS Undergraduate Certificate Completion Verification Form, before graduation, in order to confirm completion of their certificate. The certificate advisor will confirm that your certificate has been successfully completed, and will work with campus partners to apply the certificate to your transcript.

Students must fill out the Certificate Completion Form before the deadlines below, to ensure the certificate is applied to your transcript correctly. If you are a non-degree seeking student, please fill out this form in the term in which you intend to complete your certificate.

Spring semester – April 1
Summer semester – July 1
Fall semester – November 1

These program requirements are subject to periodic revision by the academic department, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences reserves the right to make exceptions and substitutions as judged necessary in individual cases. Therefore, the College strongly urges students to consult regularly with their Middle Eastern Politics certificate advisor to confirm the best plans of study before finalizing them. 

General Requirements

Students must satisfy all requirements as outlined below and by the department offering the certificate.

• Click here for information about Academic Policies

Certificate Requirements

1. Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours from the approved courses.

2. Students must complete all courses at the upper-division level (3000 or 4000 level). With the exception ARAB 2120 Intermediate Arabic II.

3. Students must earn a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all courses that apply to the certificate and must achieve a minimum cumulative certificate GPA of 2.0. Courses taken using P+/P/F or S/U grading cannot apply to certificate requirements.

4. All of the credit hours for this certificate must be earned at the CU Denver.

Certificate Restrictions, Allowances and Recommendations

1. Only one course can be an independent study, which must be approved by Political Science Department as the certificate advisor.

2. Students must complete at least two Political Science courses in the certificate.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Complete one of the following introductory courses:		3
HIST 4461	The Modern Middle East
PSCI 4002	Topics in Political Science (any PSCI section with Middle East as part of the subtitle)
PSCI 4736	The Middle East in World Affairs
Complete two of the following elective courses:		6
ARAB 2120	Intermediate Arabic II
GEOG 3150	Middle East
HIST 4461	The Modern Middle East
HIST 4462	Islam in Modern History
PSCI 4002	Topics in Political Science (any PSCI section with Middle East as part of the subtitle)
PSCI/WGST 4150	Gender Politics in the Middle East: Beyond Orientalism & Islamism
PSCI 4155	Political Systems of the Middle East and North Africa
PSCI/ETST 4156	The Arab-Israeli Peace Process
PSCI 4165/RLST 3100	Islamic Politics and Culture
PSCI 3050	Islamophobia
RLST 3100	Islamic Politics and Culture
RLST 3120	Islamic Traditions
PSCI 4736	The Middle East in World Affairs
PSCI 5610	Seminar: Middle East Politics
Relevant Independent Study in any Department, if approved by Political Science Faculty Certificate Advisor.
Complete one of the following capstone courses: 1		3
PSCI/WGST 4150	Gender Politics in the Middle East: Beyond Orientalism & Islamism
PSCI/ETST 4156	The Arab-Israeli Peace Process
PSCI 4770	Middle East Politics and Society in Film
PSCI 5610	Seminar: Middle East Politics
Total Hours		12

¹

Courses listed in the introductory and capstone sections can apply as electives if they are not used to fulfill the introductory and capstone requirements.

To learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes for this program, please visit our website.