Turkish dinner
Near East, Middle East, Southwest Asia & North Africa

Near Eastern Studies

Study the languages, literatures, cultures, religions and history of regions from ancient Sumer to the modern Middle East. 

Near Eastern Studies News

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Courses of Interest

Students studying on Ho Plaza in summer

Fall 2023

Introduction to Islamic Civilization offered TR 2:55-4:10 p.m. 3 credits. D. Powers

The Jewish Bible-Old Testament in Context offered MW 10:10-11:25 a.m. 3 credits. L. Monroe

Wondrous Literatures of the Near East offered TR 11:40-12:55 p.m. 3 credits. D. Starr

Histories of Afghanistan offered R 2:00-4:30 p.m. 3 credits. S. Golestaneh

Engage and Learn

Student writes in Arabic on a chalkboard

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.

students seated around a table listening to their professor speak

Study a Middle Eastern language

Take Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, or Persian to fulfill the College of Arts & Sciences language requirement!

We also offer instruction in some of the ancient Middle Eastern languages like Akkadian, Biblical Hebrew, Hieroglyphic Egyptian, and Sumerian.

See all of the Middle Eastern languages taught in the department.

Recent Publications

Unknowing and the Everyday book cover

Unknowing and the Everyday

Sufism and Knowledge in Iran

Seema Golestaneh

Duke University Press, 2023

Foster Child book cover

Foster Child

A Midcentury Jewish American Boyhood

Isaac Kramnick

Edited by: Ross Brann

Occasional Publications of the Program of Jewish Studies and the Department of Near Eastern Studies #7, 2022

Available for purchase at the Cornell Store

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