The Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies program is an interdisciplinary program dealing with the peoples and cultures of the Middle East and Central Asia. The minor consists of the successful completion of 18 semester hours of courses, with 6 semester hours in residence. All minors are required to take MECA 1 (Introduction to Middle East and Central Asia) at least 6 hours of a relevant Middle Eastern language (but no more than 6 hours counting towards the minor) and the remaining 9 hours from approved courses in HCLAS departments. This minor will afford students in a wide range of majors the flexibility to pursue an interest in Middle Eastern Studies. By approaching the study of the Middle East and Central Asia from a range of disciplines and perspectives, students in this minor will form a more nuanced view of the area. An important part of the minor will be highlighting texts and perspectives from the standpoint of those who live in the area.