Middle East Studies

The Middle East Studies major is an interdisciplinary major designed for students preparing for graduate work or professional careers in the government, business and finance, or with international and non-governmental organizations. The Middle East Studies major provides students with the skills necessary to understand the complex issues of the Middle East, and prepares them for careers in which a deep understanding of the region is essential.

The Middle East is an area of tremendous political, strategic and social importance, and one that possesses a great historical and cultural heritage. The major is therefore robustly interdisciplinary, requiring advanced knowledge of at least one regional language and a Senior Seminar in Middle East Studies, which provides the major with a comprehensive understanding of the most prominent trends and movements in the social, political, religious, and cultural arenas of the Middle East.

The chair of the Middle East Studies Committee will advise students on substitute and transfer courses.

The Faculty

The Middle East Studies major is administered by an interdisciplinary committee of faculty. The committee reviews courses for inclusion as electives in the program, considers updates and changes to the major’s curriculum, and reviews candidates for honors in the major. In 2011-2012, members of the committee are:
CMC Faculty: Frangieh, Gilbert, and Haley (chair).