Academics

Fields of Study: Humanities, Social Science

The Middle East Studies program offers you Arabic language courses and a series of specially designed area study courses. Study international relations, diplomacy, and the economic and social development of Jordan and the wider Middle East. Explore issues related to gender and politics, environmental studies, and religion, and take courses on Arabic literature and history. You may also choose to add a credit-bearing internship to your coursework.

Unique study opportunities

  • Explore Jordanian culture including Arabic calligraphy, folk dancing, and Jordanian cooking.
  • Boost your resume by interning at an NGO or Jordanian organization for academic credit.
  • Attend excursions throughout Jordan and participate in an organized community service project in Amman.

Language

Language of Instruction: English

Arabic Language Study: Required

You study both Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial Jordanian Arabic. You are placed in courses appropriate to your level. There are no language prerequisites.

CIEE recruits peer language tutors from the Department of Arabic at the University of Jordan. You are encouraged to meet with your language partners for up to three hours per week to practice conversation, explore the University, and expand your understanding of the host culture.

All other electives are taught in English.

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program:

  • Take a full-time course of study: Four to five courses for a total of 22.5-27 quarter/15-18 semester UC units
  • You may take one course for pass/no pass

Current Program Courses

You will take the following courses on this program:

  • Modern Standard Arabic: 9 quarter/6 semester UC units; lower or upper division
  • Colloquial Jordanian Arabic: 4.5 quarter/3 semester UC units; lower or upper division
  • Two to three upper-division elective courses: 4.5 quarter/3 semester UC units each

Elective course offerings may vary depending on the term. Elective courses discuss topics including international studies, political science, Near East studies, communication, environmental studies, economics, and history. Electives also include an Organizational Internship and Directed Independent Research.

UCEAP students may not enroll in courses at Princess Sumaya University for Technology or the Arizona State University (ASU) online courses through CIEE as these courses do not receive UC credit or count toward the minimum program requirements.

Catalogs and resources

  • Middle East Studies: Review program highlights and current courses on the CIEE website.
  • UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses UC students have taken on this program.
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic culture

You study with other CIEE study abroad students exclusively except in the companion course to the internship. The extracurricular activities, lectures, and workshops with experts on contemporary issues allow you to gain insight into Jordan’s most pressing domestic and international concerns.

The program is academically rigorous and offers you an opportunity to make great strides in your language and overall knowledge of the region. You attend Arabic language courses five days per week. Elective courses are held in the afternoons or evenings. Class attendance is required and unexcused absences count against final grades.

Jordanian classes tend to be lecture style; however, many are conducted seminar style, allowing for dialogue and discussions. Many of the professors who teach CIEE courses have received degrees in either the United States or the United Kingdom, or have participated in fellowships abroad and thus are familiar with American classrooms.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework.

Grades for the fall semester are typically available in February. Grades for the spring semester are typically available in July.

Tip: If you intend to put yourself on your campus degree list for graduation while on UCEAP, consult your campus advisors before departure about possible delays in the degree verification process.