Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at California State University

The Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (MEIS) Program at CSUN seeks to enhance students’ understanding of Islamic cultures and the Muslim communities both internationally and within the United States.

About

The Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (MEIS) Program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is a new interdisciplinary minor established in 2013. It offers courses in the languages, histories, religions, cultures, sociology and politics of Middle Eastern peoples. It also seeks to enhance students’ understanding of Islamic cultures and the Muslim communities both internationally and within the United States.

In addition, MEIS provides an academic home for the study of the intellectual, cultural and material conditions that have shaped our current understandings of and relationships with the Middle East and Islamic societies. Among the primary beneficiaries of this program are students interested in becoming scholars, journalists, translators, interpreters, diplomats, businesspersons, negotiators, and personnel in foreign offices.  Some of the courses in the MEIS program satisfy General Education (GE) requirements or may be used as electives in several majors.

Through offering the minor, sponsoring courses, organizing conferences, film and lecture series, MEIS brings together interested students, faculty, and Middle Eastern communities in larger Los Angeles.

Courses

Language Requirements:

• ARAB 101 – ELEM ARABIC I ( LEC 4 Units )
• ARAB 102 – ELEM ARABIC II ( LEC 4 Units )
• HEBR 102 – ELEM HEB II ( LEC 4 Units )
• PERS 101 – PERS 101 ( LEC 4 Units )
• PERS 102 – PERS 102 ( LEC 4 Units )

History Requirement:

• HIST 424 – MEDIEVAL MID EAST ( LEC 3 Units )

Politics Requirement: 

• POLS 438 – GOV POL MID EAST ( LEC 3 Units )

Religion Requirement: 

• RS 365 – ISLAM ( LEC 3 Units )

Culture Requirement:

• GWS 315 – ISLAM GENDER USA ( LEC 3 Units )

Faculty and Staff

Sumaya Bezrati

Lecturer, Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures

Email: sumaya.bezrati@csun.edu

Phone: (818) 677-3580

Homa Esfarjani

Lecturer, Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures

Email: homa.esfarjani@csun.edu

Phone:818-677-3196

Nayereh Tohidi

Email: nayereh.tohidi@csun.edu

Phone: 818-677-7218

Mustafa Ruzgar

Email: mustafa.ruzgar@csun.edu

Phone: 818-677-7779

Contact the Center

Address: Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies
© California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330
Phone: (818) 677-1200