Areas of Study

Arabic & Islamic Studies Program

We emphasize the creation of a broad understanding of the Islamic world through the understanding of the Arabic language and Islamic cultures generally. In our language courses students reach advanced levels of proficiency in both spoken and written Arabic. The program is designed to help undergraduates and graduate students at the Masters level to develop their respective abilities in reading literary, religious, legal, and historical texts from all periods and all Arabic-speaking countries.

Hebrew Bible & Ancient Near Eastern Program (HBANES) Studies 

The HBANES Program offers a diverse array of topical courses in translation on biblical and other ancient Near Eastern topics. Because the Program's courses are often cross-listed and the requirements are flexible, HBANES majors often double major in History, Classics, Jewish Studies, or Comparative Religion.

Modern Hebrew & Israel Studies Program

We offer instruction of elementary and intermediate Modern Hebrew, as well as an array of text classes for students at a more advanced level. Our topical courses on Israeli culture (taught in English) and on Hebrew literature in translation are regularly cross-listed with Comparative Literature, English, and Jewish Studies.

Persian & Iranian Studies Program (PISP)

The Persian and Iranian Studies program is dedicated to promoting teaching, scholarship, and thoughtful public discourse about all aspects of the history and culture of Iran and the Persian-speaking world. The program’s scope includes the diverse Persian and Iranian cultures found throughout the Middle East and the Diaspora. Students in the Program have the opportunity to study up to four years of Persian language and literature taught in the Persian language, as well as courses on Persian literature, history, and culture in English.

Turkic & Central Eurasian Studies Program

Founded in 1949, the Turkic and Central Eurasian Studies Program is one of the oldest and most distinguished programs in the United States. It is one of the only in the country that offers a complete program of Turkic and Central Eurasian studies including courses in Turkic languages, culture, history, literature, and area studies. 

Turkish & Ottoman Studies Program

Our program offers extensive preparation at the Masters level (in NELC) and the Ph.D. level (in the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Near and Middle Eastern Studies). Our course offerings include language instruction in Ottoman and Modern Turkish, as well as many topical courses on historical, social, and cultural topics. 

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