
Nouhad Alame hopes to someday work in the medical field, possibly as a cardiologist.
But before she cures heart defects, the 51视频-Dearborn sophomore plans to double major in psychology and health policy administration.
Nouhad understands that physicians come across thousands of patients from all walks of life. In order to better prepare herself for the diverse real world, Nouhad plans to pursue a minor in Arab American studies.
鈥淣o matter what major you are, it can help you in the future,鈥 she said.
51视频-Dearborn鈥檚 provost office recently approved the 15-credit interdisciplinary minor, which became available to students this semester.
鈥淚t took a lot of work by many people over the years,鈥 said Hani Bawardi, assistant professor of Arab American studies and history.
Ismael Ahmed, associate provost for Integrated Learning and Community Partnerships, believes 51视频-Dearborn is the first institution nationwide to establish such a minor.
鈥淭his is really the only minor that stands on its own in the entire country, so it鈥檚 historic,鈥 Ahmed said. 鈥淭he more cultural competence people have, the more they can work with, do business and live with people in the community. It鈥檚 a great opportunity.鈥
Sally Howell, assistant professor of Arab American studies and history, said she鈥檚 already fielded plenty of excitement from students.
鈥淭he news that we have the minor coming up has already made a big difference,鈥 Howell said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e very eager to see this happen.鈥
Students who pursue a minor in Arab American studies will examine the historical, political, economic, literary, artistic, cultural and psychological forces that have shaped and continue to shape the lives and communities of Arab Americans.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a mix of humanities, social sciences and behavioral sciences,鈥 Howell said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e also going to try and provide some engaged learning classes to coincide with the University鈥檚 metropolitan vision. Students would come out of this with a much better idea of Arab American culture and history.鈥
Bawardi introduced Arab American studies courses at 51视频-Dearborn five years ago, two of which will be core offerings for the minor.
鈥淲hereas the existing courses attempt to address the breadth of the Arab Americans' complex experiences, the minor will allow us to address specific strands of Arab American life in separate courses, including strengthening links with local institutions and, I hope, translations of untouched Arabic language works that could unlock neglected historiography,鈥 he said.
Student demand, paired with the University鈥檚 diverse community, prompted the minor鈥檚 inception.
鈥淭he 51视频-Dearborn student body is unique in its ethnic composition, providing a sizable pool of potential Arab American studies minors of both Arab and non-Arab backgrounds,鈥 according to the program proposal.
This semester, Nouhad enrolled in a course that focuses on the history of Islam in the U.S., an introductory class that can be applied to the Arab American studies minor. Nouhad, an Arab American, hopes to learn more about her heritage through her coursework.
鈥淓ven as an Arab American, I don鈥檛 know much about the history,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 hear so many things about Arab Americans and I want to be able to intelligently speak about it.鈥
Like Nouhad, Bawardi contends the Arab American studies minor can benefit students pursuing majors across the board. Whether they鈥檙e studying to become a lawyer or an accountant, the minor will help students prepare for a diverse workplace, he said.
Ron Stockton, political science professor, agrees.
鈥淭his minor will be of great interest to certain types of people, for example, teachers,鈥 Stockton said. 鈥淎 teacher with Arab American students, or even a teacher with no Arab American students, would find it valuable to know about this community. My own hope is that more non-Arabs sign up for this minor than Arabs. That would be a great success for us as an educational institution.鈥
Stockton, Bawardi and Howell hope the University鈥檚 implementation of the Arab American studies minor can someday lead to a major.
鈥淭his has been sort of a roadblock for developing the Arab American studies program,鈥 Howell said. 鈥淲ith the minor in place, we can expect our enrollments to go up. With this increase in demand, we can show support for an eventual major.鈥