Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Major

This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2026-27.

Major Requirements

The major consists of 11 courses, only two of which may be shared with a second major such as international relations, religious studies, peace and conflict studies, history, or anthropology.

Gateway Course

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of MIMG in the course offerings.

A MIST-related CORE Communities and Identities course:

Language

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of MILA in the course offerings.

Proficiency equivalent to four semesters of study in a single MIST-related language.

Students who wish to fulfill the language requirement through study abroad must consult with the director to determine suitable programs and the procedure for transferring credit. In some cases, students are required to successfully complete a language proficiency exam upon their return to campus.

Students who place out of two or more language courses must still complete a total of at least nine MIST courses to fulfill the requirements of the major. Students pursuing honors are strongly encouraged to undertake additional language study.

This requirement is normally met through completion of four of the following courses in a single language:

Additional Courses

Students must complete five additional courses selected from among those listed below, of which two must be at the 300- or 400-level. Students must complete at least one course in each group (A, B, and C) at Colgate. Students may count no more than two courses from any one group toward the major. Two affiliated electives may be counted towards the major.

Group A: Arts and Humanities

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of MIGA in the course offerings.

Group B: Historical Perspectives

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of MIGB in the course offerings.

Group C: Social Sciences

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of MIGC in the course offerings.

Affiliated Electives

Courses fulfilling this requirement have an attribute of MIAE in the course offerings.

  • HIST 232 - The Crusades (with permission of the instructor and MIST director)
  • Additional term-specific course offerings may be accepted, with MIST program director's approval.

Capstone Course

The capstone course, normally taken in the fall of the senior year, consists of a 400-level MIST designated seminar, , or a relevant seminar in another major with permission of the seminar instructor and their program or department. This capstone course entails the completion of a substantial research paper on a topic relevant to the MIST major. Students seeking to count a single capstone course for two majors or seeking to take a seminar that is not MIST designated or is not taught by MIST faculty must have their capstone approved by their MIST academic adviser and the MIST program director.

Honors and High Honors

MIST majors seeking to pursue honors must submit a proposal to the MIST Director to pursue an Honors project in the fall or spring of the senior year. This proposal, which should be completed in consultation with a MIST faculty advisor, must be submitted by the beginning of the 7th week of the semester prior to the project completion date. The MIST Director, in consultation with the advisor and other MIST faculty members, will then evaluate the merits of the proposal and decide whether to grant permission for the student to enroll in a relevant 400-level course or a 400-level Independent Study the following semester.

In the semester of honors work, the student must take a 400-level course or Independent Study advised by a MIST faculty member and must achieve an A or A- grade. Each student will have a second reader in addition to the advisor for the honors project; a third reader is added in the case of projects to be considered for high honors. Normally a paper of 40-60 pages is expected for the honors thesis. Students must have a GPA of 3.5 in MIST to be eligible for the Honors; a MIST GPA of 3.7 is required for High Honors

 

Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Program

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the  catalog page.