Undergraduate Certificate in Middle Eastern Politics

University of Colorado - Denver

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.