2008 Woodie Awards
New Middle Eastern Studies Minor
Maria Gomez
Issue date: 3/2/06 Section: News
The College Council of Sacred Heart University has recently created a new minor in Middle Eastern Studies.
Dr. Gary Rose, the Chair of the Department of Political Science and Dr. June-Ann Greeley, Assistant Professor of the Religious Studies Department discussed the idea of putting together a new minor.
The director of this new minor, Dr. Greeley who has always been interested in Middle Eastern issues had for a long time the idea of creating a new minor related to Middle Eastern culture, religion and politics.
"This is a very good minor for students of this generation," said Greeley.
In fact, this new minor will help students who are majoring in Religious Studies, Political Science, Media Studies or even Business to better know and understand this rich culture which goes beyond what we may see on television, she further explained.
"There is so much going on that students don't know," added Greely.
Six courses will start this minor, two history courses, and a course in Middle Eastern Politics, another course about the Religion of Islam and two Arabic Language courses. These courses will help to comprehend and appreciate this rich and acquainted culture because there is so much missed and stereotyped information. There is much more than radicals and terrorists, explained Greeley.
"People in power take religion hostage and pervert it," she also added.
Besides, this new minor is intended to expand into a minor in Middle and Far Eastern studies; more courses might be added later on such as an introductory course about Judaism, a course about the Religion and Culture of Israel, another course about Palestinian Politics among others.
In addition to this, other proposals are as well in mind; lectures about Middle Eastern matters and speakers who would introduce the Middle Eastern World from a different perspective. Also, a study-abroad program, workshops, coffee shops presenting Islamic art and culture in order to help students to get familiarized with this rich and for most people unknown culture.
"I would like students to be acquainted to this rich culture... It's important for American students to be educated in Middle Eastern Studies because it's such an important topic and time," finally said Greeley.
Dr. Gary Rose, the Chair of the Department of Political Science and Dr. June-Ann Greeley, Assistant Professor of the Religious Studies Department discussed the idea of putting together a new minor.
The director of this new minor, Dr. Greeley who has always been interested in Middle Eastern issues had for a long time the idea of creating a new minor related to Middle Eastern culture, religion and politics.
"This is a very good minor for students of this generation," said Greeley.
In fact, this new minor will help students who are majoring in Religious Studies, Political Science, Media Studies or even Business to better know and understand this rich culture which goes beyond what we may see on television, she further explained.
"There is so much going on that students don't know," added Greely.
Six courses will start this minor, two history courses, and a course in Middle Eastern Politics, another course about the Religion of Islam and two Arabic Language courses. These courses will help to comprehend and appreciate this rich and acquainted culture because there is so much missed and stereotyped information. There is much more than radicals and terrorists, explained Greeley.
"People in power take religion hostage and pervert it," she also added.
Besides, this new minor is intended to expand into a minor in Middle and Far Eastern studies; more courses might be added later on such as an introductory course about Judaism, a course about the Religion and Culture of Israel, another course about Palestinian Politics among others.
In addition to this, other proposals are as well in mind; lectures about Middle Eastern matters and speakers who would introduce the Middle Eastern World from a different perspective. Also, a study-abroad program, workshops, coffee shops presenting Islamic art and culture in order to help students to get familiarized with this rich and for most people unknown culture.
"I would like students to be acquainted to this rich culture... It's important for American students to be educated in Middle Eastern Studies because it's such an important topic and time," finally said Greeley.