The interdisciplinary Islamic Studies minor introduces students to the culture, language, literature, religion, history and philosophy of Muslim Peoples worldwide. Students will examine both historical and contemporary aspects of Islamic culture. General goals of the program include the development of an appreciation for the contributions of the Islamic civilization to the history of humankind and the acquisition of international perspectives for decision-making in the face of increased political and economic ties with Muslim nations. 

The minor requires 18 hours of course work as follows:

   (A) Required courses: 6 hours of Islamic Civilization courses,

   (B) Minor electives: 12 hours of approved elective courses.

A) Required Courses: 6 hours

• AIS 328: Islamic Civilization I (3 hours)
• AIS 330: Islamic Civilization II (3 hours)

B) Minor Electives: 12 hours

• AIS 101: Elementary Modern Arabic (4 hours) 
• AIS 102: Elementary Modern Arabic (4 hours) 
• AIS 201: Intermediate Modern Arabic (3 hours) 
• AIS 202: Intermediate Modern Arabic (3 hours) 
• HIS 247: History of Islam and Middle East Peoples: 500-1250 (3 hours) 
• HIS 248: History of Islam and Middle East Peoples: 1250-Present (3 hours)
• AIS 301: Colloquial Arabic I (3 hours) 
• AIS 302: Colloquial Arabic II (3 hours) 
• AIS 331: Classical Arabic Literature (in English) (3 hours)
• AIS 338: Women and Islam (3 hours)  
• AIS 340: Fundamentalism and Reform in Islam (3 hours)
• AIS 395: Independent Work in Arabic/Islamic Studies (1-3 hours) 
• AIS 440: Introduction to the Qur'an (3 hours)
• AIS 442: Arabic Reading I (3 hours)
• AIS 443: Arabic Reading II (3 hours)
• AIS 435: Topics in Islamic Studies (3 hours)
• AIS 495: Advanced Independent Work in Arabic/Islamic Studies (1-3 hours) 
• PS 491: Diplomacy of the Middle East (3 hours)
• PHI 504: Islamic and Jewish Philosophy (3 hours)
• HIS 548: History of the Middle East: 1880-1952 (3 hours)
• HIS 549: History of the Middle East: 1952-Present (3 hours)

Note: Other courses in the area may be elected with the approval of the director of Islamic Studies Program.

Current UK students should consult APEX (located in myUK) and use the ‘Run Selected Program’ feature to identify and monitor progress toward the completion of the minor. Detailed information can also be found in the UK Bulletin.

Students with a primary major in the College of Arts & Sciences can declare the Islamic Studies minor in the A&S Advising Center, 257 Patterson Office Tower. Students not in the College of Arts & Sciences must declare the Islamic Studies minor with their primary college.