Middle East Studies, Minor
DEPARTMENT
Department of Philosophy
Andrew Fiala, Chair
Music Building, Room 102
559.278.2621
FAX: 559.278.6484
www.fresnostate.edu/artshum/philosophy
BA in Philosophy, B.A.
MN in Philosophy, Minor
BA in Philosophy - Religious Studies Option, B.A.
BA in Philosophy - Prelaw Option, B.A.
MN in Peace & Conflict Studies, Minor
MN in Middle East Studies, Minor
The Department
Philosophy is one of the fundamental domains of human thought. It grows out of basic life questions, including questions of
ethics, religion, politics, and science. The study of philosophy has had an historic role in the core of sound education, because
it helps sharpen skills of careful, independent thinking and aids people of all ages in defining their most important values and
beliefs. The examination of great philosophical ideas, and the emphasis on clear reasoning and personal development that are
involved in philosophy serve as a strong foundation for life, regardless of one's career objectives.
The Department of Philosophy offers students the following opportunities for a rich and rewarding undergraduate experience:
the traditional B.A. philosophy major, the prelaw option, the religious studies option, and the philosophy minor. The
department provides ample opportunity for individual attention and student participation in its activities, e.g., student
Philosophy Club, symposia, colloquia, etc.
The Prelaw Option emphasizes analytical skills, ethics, and values courses. Law schools seek a broad general education
background and do not recommend any specific major. Students who enjoy philosophy and are interested in law should find
this option an excellent way to combine their interests.
The Religious Studies Option offers objective methods for exploring the vast and complex human experience known as
religion. This study is done with an appreciation for the variety and diversity of religious beliefs and expressions. This option
provides students with an academic approach to religion in personal, social, historical, and global contexts.
REQUIREMENTS
Middle East Studies Minor - Requirements
The Minor in Middle East Studies is a broad, interdisciplinary program designed to provide students from all disciplines with
an introductory foundation of knowledge about different subjects related to the Middle East. Students will select from a variety
of courses offered throughout the university that study the linguistic, social, cultural, artistic, literary, historical, political and
economic factors that define this region of the world. Upon completion of the minor, students will be able to communicate
in one of the languages spoken in the region, have a broad contextual understanding of the region, and be afforded the
opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge in one or more areas of study related to the region. The minor is composed of 21-23
units. These include 3 units of a required lower-division introductory course MES 10; 6-8 units of lower-division courses in
Middle Eastern languages selected from Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, and Persian; and 12 upper-division units selected from
courses offered by the departments participating in this program. Courses taken for the minor may count toward fulfilling
General Education requirements, but not toward fulfilling the student's major. Students in the minor must maintain a minimum
GPA of 2.5.
Required Course (3 units)
MES 10 (fulfills G.E. Area D3)
Lower-division Language Requirement (6-8 units)
Select from: ARAB 1A-1B; ARM 1A-1B; HEBR 1A-1B; PERS 1A-1B (some courses fulfill G.E. Area C2)
Electives (select 4 courses) (12 units)
www.fresnostate.edu
California State University, Fresno 2015-2016 CATALOG | 1
ANTH 135; ECON 183; ENGL 179, ENGL 193T; HIST 107, HIST 109T, HIST 110; MUSIC 171; PHIL 139, PHIL 158;
PLSI 144T; SSCI 150T
Total (21-23 units)
Other courses can be used to fulfill electives upon approval by minor adviser.
FACULTY
The department has a diverse and well-trained faculty with special interests ranging from logic and scientific method to
existentialism and philosophy of religion. All members of the department share the conviction that the best way to teach
philosophy is through an intense but sympathetic interchange between the teacher and the student.
Name
Degree
Email
Phone
Amaral, Pedro
Doctor of Philosophy
pedroa@csufresno.edu
559.278.2621
Anagnostopoulos, Mariana
Doctor of Philosophy
marianaa@csufresno.edu
559.278.6329
Athithan, Vanneya P
Doctor of Philosophy
vathithan@csufresno.edu
Berliner, Ann
Doctor of Philosophy
annb@mail.fresnostate.edu
Beversluis, John
Doctor of Philosophy
jbeversluis@csufresno.edu
Biondo, Vincent F
Doctor of Philosophy
vbiondo@csufresno.edu
Cusick, Carolyn M
Doctor of Philosophy
ccusick@csufresno.edu
Elson, Thomas O
Doctor of Philosophy
telson@csufresno.edu
Fenton, Andrew
Doctor of Philosophy
afenton@csufresno.edu
Fiala, Andrew
Doctor of Philosophy
afiala@csufresno.edu
Haar Farris, Matthew S
Doctor of Philosophy
mhaarfarris@csufresno.edu
Higgins, J. T
Doctor of Philosophy
thiggins@csufresno.edu
Howard, Beena R
Doctor of Philosophy
vehoward@csufresno.edu
Kapoor, Sudarshan
Doctor of Philosophy
skapoor@mail.fresnostate.edu
559.278.2013
Maldonado, Robert D
Doctor of Philosophy
robertma@csufresno.edu
559.278.2879
Olson, Leonard D
Doctor of Philosophy
lolson@csufresno.edu
Purvis, Jeffrey G
Juris Doctor
jpurvis@csufresno.edu
Tahvildary, Negin
Doctor of Philosophy
negin@csufresno.edu
Winant, Terry R
Doctor of Philosophy
terryw@csufresno.edu
www.fresnostate.edu
559.278.5654
559.278.6644
559.278.2124
559.278.5376
559.278.2621
California State University, Fresno 2015-2016 CATALOG | 2