Loyola's Islamic World Studies minor introduces students to the Middle East, the birthplace of Islam, and the Islamic civilization. The minor offers a unique opportunity to think differently about the Middle East, Islam, Muslim societies, and their influence around the world. Through a rigorous interdisciplinary approach, students explore history, culture, politics, and religion in Muslim societies in a variety of regions including the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad in a Muslim country and enhance their academic knowledge through real life exposure to Muslim people and cultures.

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Jenn Finn

I am Associate Professor and Chair of the Classical Studies Department since 2021. I hold a Ph.D. in Greek and Roman History from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Assyriology (Ancient Near Eastern History and Language) from Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich, Germany. My research interests cross-cultural contacts between the Near East and the Mediterranean World, Achaemenid Persia, and propaganda and power. I’ve published two books: Much Ado about Marduk (de Gruyter, 2017) and Contested Pasts (University of Michigan, 2022). I teach courses in the Classical Studies Department, including a new course called “Experiencing Mesopotamia”, as well as HONR 212: Encountering the Middle East.