Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies
Two Tracks
Students who wish to major in Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies will select one of two tracks: Comparative Jewish and Islamic Studies or Modern Middle Eastern Studies.
Units required: 24 advanced, in addition to prerequisites
Prerequisites for Both Tracks
- 1000- and 2000-level language (Arabic or Hebrew), by course work or by placement
(A student who skips the first four semesters of Arabic courses by placement must successfully complete ARAB 3010 Third-Level Arabic. A student who skips the first four semesters of Hebrew courses by placement must successfully complete HBRW 3040 Third-Level Hebrew or HBRW 3140 Intro to Biblical Hebrew. Students who complete the third level language course with a grade of B- or better will receive 6 units of back credit.) - JIMES 2100 Introduction to Islamic Civilization AND JIMES 2081 Introduction to Jewish Civilization: History and Identity
(Students with substantial prior coursework may substitute an additional upper-level course with permission of their adviser and the director of undergraduate studies.)
Comparative Jewish and Islamic Studies Track Requirements
- At least 3 credits in 3000- and 4000-level Jewish studies or Hebrew literature courses
- At least 3 credits in 3000- and 4000-level Islamic studies or Arabic literature courses
- 15 credits in 3000- and 4000-level JIMES courses, distributed as the student wishes
- 3 credits in the departmental capstone course to be taken during the senior year
(Students may take this course during their junior year with permission of their adviser and the director of undergraduate studies.)
Modern Middle Eastern Studies Track Requirements
- 15 credits in 3000- and 4000-level JIMES courses, distributed as the student wishes
- 3 to 6 credits in 3000- and 4000-level courses that are pertinent to the modern Middle East that may be home-based outside of the department (i.e., home-based in Anthropology, History, International and Area Studies, Political Science, Religious Studies, and so on)
- At least 3 credits in 3000- and 4000-level premodern Middle Eastern studies courses
- 3 credits in the departmental capstone course to be taken during the senior year
(Students may take this course during their junior year with permission of their adviser and the director of undergraduate studies.)
Additional Information
- Students enrolled in preapproved Washington University study abroad programs during the regular academic semester can earn a maximum of 9 credits subject to review by their adviser and the director of undergraduate studies. Summer programs and transfer courses can be granted as many as 6 credits subject to review by the student's adviser and the director of undergraduate studies. A limit of 9 credits in total can be applied to the major, whether the credits are earned in study abroad or summer programs or via transfer credit. For more information about preapproved study abroad programs, please visit the Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies Study Abroad Program website.
- Students must maintain an average of B in all courses for the major. A grade of B- or higher must be earned in each language course in order to advance to the next level.
- No course taken pass/no pass can count toward the prerequisites or the major.
- A student may request credit for courses taken outside of the department (other than those that are cross-listed) by seeking the permission of the director of undergraduate studies and the department chair.
- To be eligible to write a senior thesis, a student must maintain a grade-point average of 3.65 through the sixth semester. Senior thesis writers should sign up for an appropriate 3-credit course during both the fall and spring semesters. (The 6 credits from these courses can be applied to the primary area of study.)
Minor in JIMES
The minor in JIMES requires a minimum of 9 units at the 3000-level or above and a minimum of 18 total units. Students who wish to minor in Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern studies will select one of two tracks: The Comparative Jewish and Islamic Studies Track or The Middle Eastern Studies Track.
Comparative Jewish and Islamic Studies Track Requirements
Required Foundational course:
• JIMES 2100 Introduction to Islamic Civilization OR
• JIMES 2081 Introduction to Jewish Civilization: History and Identity
Electives:
• 6 credits in 3000- or 4000-level Islamic studies or Arabic language and literature courses (under Arabic or JIMES)
• 6 credits in 3000- or 4000-level Jewish studies or Hebrew language and literature courses (under Hebrew or JIMES)
• 3 credits at any level in JIMES courses at any level (JIMES only; this does not include language courses)
Middle Eastern Studies Track Requirements
Required Foundational course:
• JIMES 2100 Introduction to Islamic Civilization OR
• JIMES 2081 Introduction to Jewish Civilization: History and Identity
Electives:
• 3 credits at any level in Middle Eastern Studies courses (JIMES)
• 12 credits in 3000- or 4000-level Middle Eastern Studies courses (JIMES)
Curricular Information:
This minor curriculum was first published in the 2021-22 Bulletin. Current students — those who have declared a JIMES minor and those considering it—are permitted to complete the minor requirements reflected in the Bulletin at the time they matriculated, with the understanding that substitutions for certain requirements may be necessary.
Current students may also elect to follow the above requirements with the permission of the Department. Please contact the JIMES office for more information.
Additional Information:
• Study Abroad: Students enrolled in preapproved Washington University study abroad programs during the regular academic semester, in summer programs, and in transfer courses can earn a maximum of 3 units subject to review by their adviser and the director of undergraduate study.
• Grades: A grade of B- or higher must be earned in each language course in order to advance to the next level.
• Pass/No Pass: No course taken pass/no pass can count toward the minor.
• Courses taught outside of JIMES: A student may request credit for courses taken outside of the department (other than those that are cross-listed) by seeking the permission of the director of undergraduate studies and the department chair.
Arabic
Units required: 24 advanced, in addition to prerequisites
Prerequisites:
- 1000- and 2000-level Arabic, by course work or by placement
(A student who skips the first four semesters of Arabic courses by placement must successfully complete ARAB 3010 Third-Level Arabic I. Students who complete the third level language course with a grade of B- or better will receive 6 units of back credit.) - JIMES 2100 Introduction to Islamic Civilization AND JIMES 2081 Introduction to Jewish Civilization: History and Identity
(Students with substantial prior course work may substitute an additional upper-level course with permission of their advisor and the director of undergraduate studies.)
Requirements:
- 12 credits in 3000- and 4000-level language courses
- 6 credits in 3000- and 4000-level other JIMES courses, distributed as the student wishes
- At least 3 credits in 3000- and 4000-level courses in a JIMES culture other than that of the selected language tradition
- 3 credits in a departmental capstone course to be taken during the senior year
(Students may take this course during their junior year with permission of their adviser and the director of undergraduate studies.)
Additional Information
- Students enrolled in preapproved Washington University study abroad programs during the regular academic semester can earn a maximum of 9 credits subject to review by their adviser and the director of undergraduate studies. Summer programs and transfer courses can be granted as many as 6 credits subject to review by the student's adviser and the director of undergraduate studies. A limit of 9 credits in total can be applied to the major, whether the credits are earned in study abroad or summer programs or via transfer credit. For more information about preapproved study abroad programs, please visit the Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies Study Abroad Program website.
- Students must maintain an average of B in all courses for the major. A grade of B- or higher must be earned in each language course in order to advance to the next level.
- No course taken pass/no pass can count toward the prerequisites or the major.
- A student may request credit for courses taken outside of the department (other than those that are cross-listed) by seeking the permission of the director of undergraduate studies and the department chair.
- To be eligible to write a senior thesis, a student must maintain a grade-point average of 3.65 through the sixth semester. Senior thesis writers should sign up for an appropriate 3-credit course during both the fall and spring semesters. (The 6 credits from these courses can be applied to the primary area of study.)
Minor in Arabic
The minor in Arabic requires a minimum of 9 units at the 3000-level or above and a minimum of 18 total units. The goal of the minor is language proficiency at the 2000 level or above. Students placing into ARAB 2010 Intermediate Arabic II or above must complete 2 consecutive semesters of language instruction at WashU to fulfill the language requirement.
Language Prerequisites:
• ARAB 1000 Beginning Arabic I & ARAB 1001 Beginning Arabic II, by course work or by placement
Language Requirement:
• ARAB 2010 Intermediate Arabic I & ARAB 2011 Intermediate Arabic II, by course work OR
• If placed into ARAB 2011 Intermediate Arabic II or above, two consecutive semesters of language instruction at WashU
Required Foundational course:
Choose one of the following:
• JIMES 2100 Introduction to Islamic Civilization OR
• JIMES 2081 Introduction to Jewish Civilization: History and Identity
Electives:
• 9 credits in 3000- or 4000-level in L49 Arabic or JIMES courses distributed as the student wishes
Curricular Information:
This minor curriculum was first published in the 2021-22 Bulletin. Current students — those who have declared a JIMES minor and those considering it—are permitted to complete the minor requirements reflected in the Bulletin at the time they matriculated, with the understanding that substitutions for certain requirements may be necessary.
Current students may also elect to follow the above requirements with the permission of the Department. Please contact the JIMES office for more information.
Additional Information:
• Pass/No Pass: No course taken pass/no pass can count toward the minor.
• Grades: A grade of B- or higher must be earned in each language course in order to advance to the next level.
• Study Abroad: Students enrolled in preapproved Washington University study abroad programs during the regular academic semester, in summer programs, and in transfer courses can earn a maximum of 3 units subject to review by their adviser and the director of undergraduate study.
• Back Credit: Any earned back credit does not count towards the total number of units for the Language Requirement. All students are required to take at least one year of language instruction at WashU.
Hebrew
Units required: 24 advanced, in addition to prerequisites
Prerequisites:
- 1000- and 2000-level Hebrew, by course work or by placement
(A student who skips the first four semesters of Hebrew courses by placement must successfully complete HBRW 3040 Third Level Modern Hebrew I or HBRW 3840 Intro to Biblical Hebrew. Students who complete the third level language course with a grade of B- or better will receive 6 units of back credit.) - JIMES 2100 Introduction to Islamic Civilization AND L74 JIMES 2081 Introduction to Jewish Civilization: History and Identity
(Students with substantial prior course work may substitute an additional upper-level course with permission of their adviser and the director of undergraduate studies.)
Requirements:
- 12 credits in 3000- and 4000-level language courses
- 6 credits in 3000- and 4000-level other JIMES courses, distributed as the student wishes
- At least 3 credits at the 3000- and 4000-level courses in a JIMES culture other than that of the selected language tradition
- 3 credits in a departmental capstone course to be taken during the senior year
(Students may take this course during their junior year with permission of their adviser and the director of undergraduate studies.)
Additional Information
- Students enrolled in preapproved Washington University study abroad programs during the regular academic semester can earn a maximum of 9 credits subject to review by their adviser and the director of undergraduate studies. Summer programs and transfer courses can be granted as many as 6 credits subject to review by the student's adviser and the director of undergraduate studies. A limit of 9 credits in total can be applied to the major, whether the credits are earned in study abroad or summer programs or via transfer credit. For more information about preapproved study abroad programs, please visit the Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies Study Abroad Program website.
- Students must maintain an average of B in all courses for the major. A grade of B- or higher must be earned in each language course in order to advance to the next level.
- No course taken pass/no pass can count toward the prerequisites or the major.
- A student may request credit for courses taken outside of the department (other than those that are cross-listed) by seeking the permission of the director of undergraduate studies and the department chair.
- To be eligible to write a senior thesis, a student must maintain a grade-point average of 3.65 through the sixth semester. Senior thesis writers should sign up for an appropriate 3-credit course during both the fall and spring semesters. (The 6 credits from these courses can be applied to the primary area of study.)
Minor in Hebrew
The minor in Hebrew requires a minimum of 9 units at the 3000-level or above and a minimum of 18 total units. The goal of the minor is language proficiency at the 2000 level or above. Students placing into HBRW 2013 Second Year Modern Hebrew II or above must complete 2 consecutive semesters of language instruction at WashU to fulfill the language requirement.
Language Prerequisites:
• HBRW 1001 Beginning Modern Hebrew I & HBRW 1002 Beginning Modern Hebrew II, by course work or by placement
Language Requirement:
• HBRW 2010 Second Year Modern Hebrew I & HBRW 2013 Second Year Modern Hebrew II, by course work OR
• If placed into Hebrew HBRW 2013 Second Year Modern Hebrew II or above, two consecutive semesters of language instruction at WashU
Required Foundational course:
Choose one of the following:
• JIMES 2100 Introduction to Islamic Civilization OR
• JIMES 2081 Introduction to Jewish Civilization: History and Identity
Electives:
• 9 credits in 3000- or 4000-level in Hebrew or JIMES courses distributed as the student wishes
Curricular Information:
This minor curriculum was first published in the 2021-22 Bulletin. Current students — those who have declared a JIMES minor and those considering it—are permitted to complete the minor requirements reflected in the Bulletin at the time they matriculated, with the understanding that substitutions for certain requirements may be necessary.
Current students may also elect to follow the above requirements with the permission of the Department. Please contact the JIMES office for more information.
Additional Information:
• Pass/No Pass: No course taken pass/no pass can count toward the minor.
• Grades: A grade of B- or higher must be earned in each language course in order to advance to the next level.
• Study Abroad: Students enrolled in preapproved Washington University study abroad programs during the regular academic semester, in summer programs, and in transfer courses can earn a maximum of 3 units subject to review by their adviser and the director of undergraduate study.
• Back Credit: Any earned back credit does not count towards the total number of units for the Language Requirement. All students are required to take at least one year of language instruction at WashU.
South Asian Languages and Cultures
Minor in South Asian Studies
The minor in South Asian Studies requires a minimum of 9 units at the 3000-level or above and a minimum of 18 total units. The goal of the minor is language proficiency at the 2000 level or above in either the Hindi or Urdu language. Students placing into HINDI 2018 Intermediate Hindi II, HINDI 2051 Intermediate Urdu II, or above must complete 2 consecutive semesters of language instruction at WashU to fulfill the language requirement.
Language Prerequisites:
• Hindi Language: HINDI 1030 Beginning Hindi I & HINDI 1031 Beginning Hindi II, by course work or by placement OR
• Urdu Language: HINDI 1050 Beginning Urdu I & HINDI 1032 Beginning Urdu II, by course work or by placement
Language Requirement: Students should choose one primary language for the minor to fulfill the language requirement.
Hindi Language:
• HINDI 2020 Intermediate Hindi I & HINDI 2018 Intermediate Hindi II, by course work OR
• HINDI 2030 Hindi for Heritage Speakers and one additional semester of Hindi language instruction OR
• If placed into HINDI 2018 Intermediate Hindi II or above, two consecutive semesters of language instruction at WashU
Urdu Language:
• HINDI 2050 Intermediate Urdu I & HINDI 2051 Intermediate Urdu II, by course work OR
• If placed into HINDI 2051 Intermediate Urdu II or above, two consecutive semesters of language instruction at WashU
Required Foundational course:
Choose one of the following:
• JIMES 2100 Introduction to Islamic Civilization OR
• HINDI 3050 Religion and Culture in South and Southeast Asia
Electives:
• 9 credits in 3000- or 4000-level in L73 Hindi or JIMES courses distributed as the student wishes
Curricular Information:
This minor curriculum was first published in the 2021-22 Bulletin. Current students — those who have declared a JIMES minor and those considering it—are permitted to complete the minor requirements reflected in the Bulletin at the time they matriculated, with the understanding that substitutions for certain requirements may be necessary.
Current students may also elect to follow the above requirements with the permission of the Department. Please contact the JIMES office for more information.
Additional Information:
• Pass/No Pass: No course taken pass/no pass can count toward the minor.
• Grades: A grade of B- or higher must be earned in each language course in order to advance to the next level.
• Study Abroad: Students enrolled in preapproved Washington University study abroad programs during the regular academic semester, in summer programs, and in transfer courses can earn a maximum of 3 units subject to review by their adviser and the director of undergraduate study.
• Back Credit: Any earned back credit does not count towards the total number of units for the Language Requirement. All students are required to take at least one year of language instruction at WashU.