The Kurdish people are one of the largest ethnic groups forming large minorities in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and several European countries. They are also one of the largest ethnic groups without a state of their own in the world. Consequently, the Kurdish question remains one of the most salient trans-border issues in global politics. UCF is home to the nation's first and only academic entity dedicated to the study of Kurdish issues, the Kurdish Political Studies Program. Students who complete this certificate will develop an in-depth understanding and gain unique insights into various dimensions of Kurdish politics. This interdisciplinary certificate will contribute to intellectual growth, knowledge, and skillsets of students seeking careers in the government, academia, non-profit organizations, and private companies working on security and humanitarian issues.
Certificate Admission Requirements
Certificate Requirements
- A grade of "C" (2.00) of better is required for a course to count towards the certificate.
- Nine credit hours used towards the certificate must be earned at UCF. Exceptions may be made at program director's discretion.
- At least one of the restricted electives must be at 3000 level or higher.
- At least three credit hours used towards the certificate must come from courses taken within SPSIA (INR, CPO, POS, or POT prefixes).
Prerequisite Courses
Students must satisfy each course's prerequisites before enrolling in the class.
Required Courses
Select one course from the following (if both courses are taken, one will count as an elective)
- CPO 4400 - Kurdish Politics: Identity, Violence, and Democracy Credit Hours: 3
- ASH 3244 - History of the Kurds in the Middle East Credit Hours: 3
Restricted Electives
Select three courses from the following list.
- ANT 3275 - Anthropological Perspectives on Refugees Credit Hours: 3
- ARA 1120C - Elementary Arabic Language and Civilization I Credit Hours: 4
- ARA 1121C - Elementary Arabic Language and Civilization II Credit Hours: 4
- ARA 2200 - Intermediate Arabic Language and Civilization I Credit Hours: 3
- ARA 2201 - Intermediate Arabic II Credit Hours: 3
- ASH 3204 - History of Mesopotamia Credit Hours: 3
- ASH 3222 - Islam and Its Empires Credit Hours: 3
- ASH 3223 - The Modern Middle East Credit Hours: 3
- ASH 4243 - History of Iraq Credit Hours: 3
- CPO 3034 - Politics of Developing Areas Credit Hours: 3
- CPO 3403 - Politics of the Middle East Credit Hours: 3
- CPO 3403H - Honors Politics of the Middle East Credit Hours: 3
- CPO 4406 - Minorities and Majorities in the Middle East Credit Hours: 3
- FOL 1930 - Elementary Kurdish Language and Civilization I Credit Hours: 4
- FOL 1931 - Elementary Kurdish Language & Civilization II Credit Hours: 4
- INR 4075 - Human Rights Policy Credit Hours: 3
- INR 4084 - Politics of International Terrorism Credit Hours: 3
- INR 4084H - Honors Politics of International Terrorism Credit Hours: 3
- INR 4102 - American Foreign Policy Credit Hours: 3
- INR 4274 - International Politics of the Middle East Credit Hours: 3
- REL 3320 - Moses, Jesus and Muhammad Credit Hours: 3
- REL 3363 - Islam Credit Hours: 3
Total Undergraduate Credit Hours Required: 12Other Requirements
- Internship, Honors in the Major Thesis, independent study, and substitute courses/new courses are allowed with the approval from the certificate advisor (up to 3 credit hours).
