Islamic Studies
About World Islamic and Middle East Studies
The undergraduate programs in World Islamic and Middle East Studies offer students language-based interdisciplinary training about the Islamic world. Combining humanities and social-science approaches, the programs introduce students to the textual traditions and social life of Muslims—and the non-Muslims interacting with them—in different times and places, including, but not limited to, the Middle East.
Students in the programs learn about the complexity and variety of Muslim societies and cultures across the world, paying attention to regional specificities but also becoming aware of past and present global links. With solid grounding in language training (Arabic, Persian, Turkish, or Urdu), students take courses on history, law, religion, philosophy, art, literature, women and gender in Islamic societies, political science, and anthropology, combining knowledge about the contemporary Islamic world and the traditions that are important for understanding it.
The Institute of Islamic Studies offers:
- major and minor concentrations;
- honours and joint honours programs for students wishing to pursue more in-depth studies; and
- language minors in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu for students interested in language training.
To register for a WIMES program, you must have been offered admission into a bachelor's program at McGill; for more information, please refer to Undergraduate Admissions.
About African Studies
Established in 1969, the African Studies Program at McGill was the first of its kind in Canada. The Program offers courses across the disciplines leading to a Minor and Major Concentration and a Joint Honors Program, allowing students many exciting opportunities to explore a wide range of political, historical, social, economic, and environmental issues pertaining to Africa. The underlying conception of the African Studies Program emanates from the basic premise that African Studies is a foundational field of study and a global intellectual enterprise, rather than one constrained by territorial boundaries.
For students pursuing a Major or Minor Concentration in African Studies, the plan of study begins with an introductory course that explores African issues from an interdisciplinary and global perspective and ends with an advanced research seminar. In addition to facilitating opportunities for students to travel and study in Africa, the Program also offers a course in Swahili, which greatly enhances knowledge of African culture and society and can, along with other courses offered, pave the path towards exciting future career and travel opportunities in Africa. The African Studies Program also sponsors a variety of other types of scholarly and cultural activities throughout the academic year related to Africa and the African diaspora, many of which are initiated by its undergraduate student organization, the African Studies Students' Association (ASSA), as well as the McGill African Students' Society (MASS).
African Studies Related Programs and Study Semesters
Africa Field Study Semester
For details of the 15-credit interdisciplinary AFSS, see Study Abroad and Field Studies section of this publication on Africa Field Study Semester.
Available Programs
- African Studies Joint Honours Component (B.A.) (36 credits)
- African Studies Major Concentration (B.A.) (36 credits)
- African Studies Minor Concentration (B.A.) (18 credits)
- Arabic Language Minor Concentration (B.A.) (18 credits)
- Persian Language Minor Concentration (B.A.) (18 credits)
- Turkish Language Minor Concentration (B.A.) (18 credits)
- Urdu Language Minor Concentration (B.A.) (18 credits)
- World Islamic and Middle East Studies Honours (B.A.) (60 credits)
- World Islamic and Middle East Studies Joint Honours Component (B.A.) (36 credits)
- World Islamic and Middle East Studies Major Concentration (B.A.) (36 credits)
- World Islamic and Middle East Studies Minor Concentration (B.A.) (18 credits)
Location
Faculty of Arts
Institute of Islamic Studies
Morrice Hall, Room 319
3485 McTavish Street
Montreal QC H3A 0E1
Telephone: 514-398-6077
Email: info.islamics@mcgill.ca
Website: mcgill.ca/islamicstudies