African and Middle Eastern Studies B.A.

African & Middle Eastern Studies

The African & Middle Eastern Studies is part of the International & Area Studies program and is designed for students who want to focus their studies on the culture and society of the following subregions: the Middle East, North Africa, the Arab states, or Sub-Saharan Africa.

Programs offered:

*Students in the Major are required to achieve intermediate level of any modern foreign language related to the area (e.g., Swahili 6, Arabic 102C, Armenian 102C, 105C, Hebrew 102C, Iranian 102C, Turkic Languages 102C, 112C, 116C).

*Students can declare the major after having completed all preparation courses* with a minimum UC GPA in these courses of 2.00 and at least a grade of "C" or better in the International & Area Studies 1 course.

Watch our Information Session recording to learn about AMES and our other International & Area Studies majors & minors.

African and Middle Eastern Studies Major

The African & Middle Eastern Studies Major consists of 6 preparation courses, the language requirement, and 12 Upper Division classes. Students in the major have options to study abroad, participate in research, and complete internships associated with their major. Some students choose to double-major with other programs on campus, and several choose to add a minor.

African and Middle Eastern Studies Major Requirements Worksheet

Quick Facts:

Required to take International & Area Studies 1 (offered Fall Quarter or Summer), MUST receive a "C" or better
Language requirement (for details click here)
Required to take International & Area Studies 191 (Senior Seminar)
Study Abroad courses may apply towards major credit, consult with one of our counselors
Departmental Honors program is open to eligible students during their last year

How to Declare the Major:

Students can declare the major after completing the 6 preparation courses with a 2.0 GPA and one year of language.* For more information click here.

*Completion of the elementary year of the foreign language is acceptable when applying for the major. Completion of the intermediate year of the foreign language is required to fulfill all preparation requirements, but can be done after being accepted to the major. The minimum prep GPA of 2.00 will still need to be met with the inclusion of this course.

African & Middle Eastern Studies MINOR

The African & Middle Eastern Studies Minor allows students to select from a broad range of courses in various departments to develop professional and methodological skills with area expertise. The minor enables students with an interest in the region to add dimension to their programs.

African and Middle Eastern Studies Minor Requirements Worksheet

Quick Facts:

To enter the minor, students must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or better, have completed all prep coursework, and have achieved at least 45 units.
No more than 10 units (2 courses, lower or upper division) may be applied towards both the student's major and this minor.
All minor courses must be taken for a letter grade, with an overall GPA of 2.0 or better.

To declare the African & Middle Eastern Studies MINOR, please click here.

Photo: Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

AFRICAN STUDIES MINOR

The African Studies Minor is designed for students who wish to augment their major with concerted study of the history, culture, and society of Africa from an interdisciplinary and modern perspective.

African Studies Minor Requirements Worksheet

Quick Facts:

To be admitted to the minor, students must be in good academic standing (min. 2.0 GPA), have completed all prep coursework, and have completed 45 units.
No more than 10 units (2 courses, lower or upper division) may be applied towards both the student's major and this minor.
All minor courses must be taken for a letter grade, with an overall GPA of 2.0 or better.

To declare the African Studies Minor, please click here.

Photo: African crafts

INTERNATIONAL AND AREA STUDIES
FACULTY ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE 2024-25

Adam Moore, Chair, International & Area Studies
Michael Thies, Interim Chair

Robin L. H. Derby, Ph.D., History
Patrick C. Heuveline, Ph.D., International Institute, Sociology
Jennifer Jung-Kim, Ph.D., Asian Languages & Cultures
Namhee Lee, Ph.D., Asian Languages and Cultures
Adam D. Moore, Ph.D., Geography, International Institute
Helen M. Rees, Ph.D., Ethnomusicology
Bonnie Taub, Ph.D., Community Health Sciences, Anthropology
Kevin B. Terraciano, Ph.D., History
Dov Waxman, Ph.D., International Institute, Political Science

Our Students

The Academic Programs offered through the UCLA International Institute allow students to focus on a particular area of study - either a specific geographic area, or a global comparative and issue-oriented approach - through a variety of disciplines across campus. The Institute also offers its own courses taught by core teaching faculty under the following subject areas: African Studies, Global Health, Global Studies, International & Area Studies, International Development Studies, International Migration Studies, and Latin American Studies.

B.A. just the starting point for these graduating seniors

Kyilah Terry (B.A., European Studies 2019) is headed to graduate school this fall, while Maria Amaya Morfin (B.A., International Development Studies 2019) is currently preparing for the GRE and grad school applications.
read more

Two projects win funding at Global Development Lab showcase

The winning projects will provide an Internet connection for Atutur Hospital in Kumi, Uganda, and deliver food and after-school tutoring to unsupervised children in Tijuana, Mexico, respectively.
read more

International internship: Enabled Children's Initiative

UCLA senior Kawsar Nasir Ahmad did a 10-month internship with the Afghanistan-based Enabled Children's Initiative, an experience that has only solidified her plans to work for Doctors without Borders after she becomes a doctor.
read more

African and Middle Eastern Studies B.A.

INTERNATIONAL AND AREA STUDIES FACULTY ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE 2024-25

INTERNATIONAL AND AREA STUDIES
FACULTY ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE 2024-25