The study of the Middle East and North Africa at Cornell includes the full geographic and temporal sweep from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to modern Turkey and Morocco. Our interdisciplinary faculty are committed to research that explores the rich history of the region, the diversity of languages and literatures, and religious, social, and cultural dimensions across time and place.
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Major in Near Eastern studies
Interested in exploring the languages, literatures, cultures, religions, and history of the Middle East from antiquity to the modern day? Consider pursuing a major in Near Eastern studies.
We also offer undergraduate minors in Arabic and Near Eastern studies.
Study a Middle Eastern language
Take Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, or Persian to fulfill the College of Arts & Sciences language requirement!
Participate in our Hebrew Hangout, Thursdays 9:30-10:00am, 410 White Hall (Fall 2025 Schedule). Contact Shalom Shoer for more information.
What is the "Near East"?
The Near East is an older term for the Middle East. As defined by the department, the “Near East” extends from Morocco (and medieval Spain), through Egypt, the Levant (Israel and Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan), Turkey, Southwest Asia and North Africa.
Faculty specializing in the earliest millennia of the region’s history bring a range of disciplines, methods and theoretical orientations to bear on the study of what is conventionally called the ancient Near East. Geographically, our vision is wide, extending from the shores of the eastern Mediterranean to the lowlands of Mesopotamia, from the highlands of Anatolia and the Caucasus to the plains of southwestern Iran.
Learn more about our faculty, research, undergraduate study and graduate study.
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