Bachelor of Arts - Mediterranean and Middle East Minor

A specialisation in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern worlds

The Mediterranean and Middle East minor within the Sciences Po Bachelor’s programme forms part of the shared multidisciplinary curriculum in the social sciences across the Undergraduate College, while offering a focused exploration of the geopolitical, economic, social and cultural issues affecting countries across the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East and the Gulf.

Delivered at the Menton campus, this minor provides a cross-cutting analysis of a strategic region at the heart of contemporary global dynamics. A historic crossroads of commercial, religious and intellectual exchanges, the wider Mediterranean constitutes a laboratory for the political transformations of the 21st century, including democratic transitions and setbacks, persistent conflicts, state reconfigurations, the emergence of regional powers, energy challenges, migration dynamics and environmental issues.

The curriculum combines the study of historical legacies, including empires, colonisation, mandates and regional conflicts, with the analysis of contemporary developments such as the Arab uprisings and their aftermath, the diverse trajectories of states in the region, economic diversification in Gulf countries, relations between Europe and its southern neighbours, and the roles of Turkey, Israel and Iran in regional balances.

Offered in either French or English, the minor draws on the disciplines of political science, economics, law, sociology and history to develop critical and context-sensitive approaches to regional issues.

Several international dual degree programmes are available to students at the Menton campus, in partnership with leading universities:

• University College London (UCL);
• Columbia University;
• University of California Berkeley;
• University of British Columbia (UBC);
• National University of Singapore (NUS);
• University of Hong Kong;
• University of Sydney;
• Luiss, Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli.

The Mediterranean and Middle East minor explained in video

Courses and subjects at the heart of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern issues

The Mediterranean and Middle East minor may be followed entirely in French or in English during the first year. This dual language offering supports international openness and enables the inclusion of students from diverse backgrounds. In the second year, all courses are taught in English.

Specialised courses allow students to explore the major political and social transformations of the region through a range of topics, including political transitions, violence and conflict, social movements, religious dynamics, economic changes, cultural production and evolving identities.

Examples of courses include:

• Political transitions and violence in the Mediterranean
• Contemporary Berber worlds
• The Arab Spring: Contestation, Revolution, Civil War

Languages taught as part of the minor

A nuanced understanding of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern societies relies in part on proficiency in the region’s languages. As part of the Mediterranean and Middle East minor, students may learn or further develop the following languages: Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Hebrew, Spanish and Italian.

French as a Foreign Language courses are offered to students whose level is below B1.

Proficiency in one or more of these languages represents a significant asset for international mobility and for careers with a regional or international dimension.

Find out more about language teaching.

Skills developed through the minor

The Mediterranean and Middle East minor within the Sciences Po Bachelor’s programme provides the core knowledge in the social sciences shared by all students of the Undergraduate College, enriched by in-depth regional specialisation.

Students develop the ability to carry out geopolitical analysis in complex contexts, gain a structured understanding of political transitions and authoritarian systems, and analyse energy and economic issues, as well as cultural, social and religious dynamics. These learning outcomes are supported by strong methodological skills, including quantitative and qualitative analysis, structured argumentation and critical thinking.

This programme opens up a wide range of career paths, including diplomacy, international organisations, European institutions, NGOs, international journalism, political risk consultancy, the energy sector and academic research.

A third year to deepen regional immersion

The third year of the Sciences Po Bachelor’s programme takes place entirely abroad, at one of the institution’s 445 partner universities. This international mobility, shared by all seven campuses of the Undergraduate College, is a core component of the academic programme.

For students at the Menton campus, it is recommended to choose a university located in Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East or a Gulf country, or one offering specialised courses on these regions. A stay in a country whose language has been studied during the first and second years allows for in-depth linguistic and cultural immersion, supporting a strong command of the region’s languages.

However, mobility within the Mediterranean or the Middle East is not compulsory. Students may choose a destination anywhere in the world. To validate the minor, they are nevertheless required to take several courses related to Mediterranean or Middle Eastern issues, or to the relationship between their host country and this region.

Studying the Mediterranean and Middle East minor on the Menton campus

The Mediterranean and Middle East minor is offered exclusively at the Menton campus, the only campus of Sciences Po’s Undergraduate College entirely dedicated to this specialisation.

Find out more about the Menton campus and its student community.