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Should I stay in the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Concentration?
Hi everyone,
I am at a crossroad of my History and Humanities Program. I still have two more 300 level and one more 400 level History course to do graduate. I will have to take at least one Group 2 (American History) course. Therefore, what I take in that two remaining course will decide rather I will be a History and Humanities Double Major with a Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Concentration (MEC) or just another History and Humanities Double Major. Currently, I am two course short of finishing my MEC. Right now, I am deciding rather I should stay the course, take two Middle Eastern courses, and finish the MEC or say "fuc* it" and take two random history courses to get my degree over with.
This is not an easy decision to make and thus I have decided to consult you guys.
Originally, one of the reasons I got into the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Concentration is that I did rather well in HIST 151 (-A) and HIST 249 (-A) and it sparked my interest in Middle Eastern History. Also, I just think that it is rather cool to be knowledgeable about Middle Eastern history because of the time we are living in right now.
However, I have been having second thoughts regarding being in the MEC. For one, I didn't do so well in HIST 467: Modern Egypt. Second, many students in the MEC are of Arab descent, a Muslim, or from the Middle East, and I feel VERY out of place (I am of Chinese descent, an Atheist, and from Hong Kong, for those who don't know). Third, the course offering for Middle Eastern History course have been rather bad and I am getting a little fed up (ex: Prof. MacLean went AWOL and didn't offer HIST 352: Religion and Politics in Iran in Fall 08 AND I can't take it in Fall 09 because it has scheduling conflict with another course I need)
Finally, one of the major "motivation" for me being in the MEC is gone. My aspiration to work for CSIS after I graduated had a great deal to do with me entering the MEC. I am rather embarrassed to admit this. I thought that once I graduated and managed to enter CSIS. my knowledge in Middle Eastern and Islamic History will be useful in the fight against Al Quida and other Muslim terrorist organizations. I found that my "motivation" is rather discriminating against Muslims. What my "motivation" implies is that I will be dealing with will mostly be Muslims and Middle Eastern states. My "motivation" also defeats the whole purpose of my Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Concentration, which is to foster understanding of the Middle East and religion of Islam.
The only reason I am currently staying in the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Concentration and haven't left the program is because it sounds cool. If I finish my UD, my degree will read Bachelor of Arts in History and Humanities Double Major with a Concentration in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.
If I do stay in the MEC, I will have to delay my graduation to Fall 10 because HIST 352 is only offered in the Fall semester.
So, should I stay in the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Concentration? Your advices will be a considerable influence in my decision.
I am at a crossroad of my History and Humanities Program. I still have two more 300 level and one more 400 level History course to do graduate. I will have to take at least one Group 2 (American History) course. Therefore, what I take in that two remaining course will decide rather I will be a History and Humanities Double Major with a Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Concentration (MEC) or just another History and Humanities Double Major. Currently, I am two course short of finishing my MEC. Right now, I am deciding rather I should stay the course, take two Middle Eastern courses, and finish the MEC or say "fuc* it" and take two random history courses to get my degree over with.
This is not an easy decision to make and thus I have decided to consult you guys.
Originally, one of the reasons I got into the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Concentration is that I did rather well in HIST 151 (-A) and HIST 249 (-A) and it sparked my interest in Middle Eastern History. Also, I just think that it is rather cool to be knowledgeable about Middle Eastern history because of the time we are living in right now.
However, I have been having second thoughts regarding being in the MEC. For one, I didn't do so well in HIST 467: Modern Egypt. Second, many students in the MEC are of Arab descent, a Muslim, or from the Middle East, and I feel VERY out of place (I am of Chinese descent, an Atheist, and from Hong Kong, for those who don't know). Third, the course offering for Middle Eastern History course have been rather bad and I am getting a little fed up (ex: Prof. MacLean went AWOL and didn't offer HIST 352: Religion and Politics in Iran in Fall 08 AND I can't take it in Fall 09 because it has scheduling conflict with another course I need)
Finally, one of the major "motivation" for me being in the MEC is gone. My aspiration to work for CSIS after I graduated had a great deal to do with me entering the MEC. I am rather embarrassed to admit this. I thought that once I graduated and managed to enter CSIS. my knowledge in Middle Eastern and Islamic History will be useful in the fight against Al Quida and other Muslim terrorist organizations. I found that my "motivation" is rather discriminating against Muslims. What my "motivation" implies is that I will be dealing with will mostly be Muslims and Middle Eastern states. My "motivation" also defeats the whole purpose of my Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Concentration, which is to foster understanding of the Middle East and religion of Islam.
The only reason I am currently staying in the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Concentration and haven't left the program is because it sounds cool. If I finish my UD, my degree will read Bachelor of Arts in History and Humanities Double Major with a Concentration in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies.
If I do stay in the MEC, I will have to delay my graduation to Fall 10 because HIST 352 is only offered in the Fall semester.
So, should I stay in the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Concentration? Your advices will be a considerable influence in my decision.
Comments
fighting terrorists around the world, gun in hand. LOL.
as an intelligence officer your more likely to be stuck behind a desk than jumping behind a sofa as people fire at you. :)
good luck though. i plan to apply to CSIS as well upon grad.
very perceptive summerheaven.. brownie points to you.. ^^b
A friend of mine who works for the Foreign Service told me that the most important skill if you want to work for any government agency abroad is to know languages (she is fluent in 5 languages), they don't care about your degree or coursework (she has a BFA). She said that if you can speak multiple languages like her, they fast-track your application and you can start working right away, they even give you 2 years to study for and pass the regular entry exam that everyone else has to write before being evaluated.