Alva Review-Courier -

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP, Oct. 5, 2016) — The University of Missouri is now offering a minor in Middle East studies.

The new program, which started this fall, will allow students to choose 15 credit hours from 11 disciplines, including art, archaeology, history, literature and religious studies, the Columbia Missourian reported (http://bit.ly/2dKAyKX ).

Nathan Hofer, who holds a doctorate in religious studies with a primary emphasis on Judaism and a secondary emphasis on Islam, directs the new minor.

"What we call the Middle East goes beyond Islam," Hofer said. "I want them (students) to have a coher...