Middle East and North Africa Studies, Minor

Director: Enaya Othman, Ph.D.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region extends from Mauritania in the west to Iran and Central Asia in the east, bounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the north and the Saharan and Sahelian regions in the south. This diverse and historically rich region is home to the world’s oldest civilizations and the three Abrahamic religions. It continues to shape global conversations on culture, politics, economics, migration, and human rights.

Importantly, the concept of “MENA” stretches beyond geographic boundaries. The region is also studied as the Global Middle East, encompassing diasporic communities, transnational networks, and cultural and political flows that connect the MENA region to diasporic communities across the globe, including in Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and beyond. This approach highlights the global interconnections that shape the identities, movements, and lived experiences of people from and connected to the region.

At Marquette University, the MENA Studies major and minor offer an interdisciplinary education that invites students to explore the region’s complexity from a wide range of perspectives—including historical, cultural, political, religious, linguistic, and social. It empowers students to become globally engaged thinkers and leaders, equipped to understand and address some of the world’s most pressing issues with insight, empathy, and cultural fluency.

Leaning Objectives Include:

  • Develop critical thinking and research skills using interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approaches.
  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the region’s geography, cultures, languages, and populations.
  • Achieve functional proficiency in Arabic, the most widely spoken language in the region.
  • Explore religious and philosophical traditions, with an emphasis on Islam, Christianity, and Judaism in the region.
  • Examine gender and social identities, particularly how race, gender, and religion intersect in everyday life.
  • Analyze political movements, migration, and media, both historically and in contemporary contexts.
  • Investigate the region’s contributions to global literature, art, and intellectual thought.
  • Cultivate a deep appreciation for cultural exchange and global diversity.
  • Gain insights into business culture, communication, and economic practices in the MENA region—particularly in the Gulf countries, where many of the world’s leading companies, financial hubs, and global partnerships are emerging. This prepares students for careers in international business, trade, and global corporations.
  • Develop cultural and analytical skills essential for careers in diplomacy, government, foreign service, and international development. Students will be equipped to navigate complex global issues, policy-making, and transnational challenges with deep regional insight and intercultural competence.

Enrich Your Experience:

  • Study abroad in MENA countries or Arabic-speaking regions.
  • Engage with local and global communities through service learning and internships.
  • Participate in cultural events, lectures, and student organizations that promote social justice and cross-cultural understanding.
  • Work closely with faculty on independent research projects related to your interests.

Complement Your Major:

MENA Studies pairs well with programs such as:

  • Arabic Language and Culture Studies
  • International Affairs
  • History
  • Political Science
  • Theology and Religious Studies
  • Global Health and Development
  • Sociology and Anthropology

Students majoring or minoring in MENA Studies are strongly encouraged to minor in Arabic Language and Culture Studies. The Arabic minor deepens linguistic proficiency and cultural insight, further enhancing the academic and professional value of the MENA program.