Maimonides and the Goodness of the World
Ross Brann discusses Moses Maimonides, a 12th-century rabbi and scholar, on the Philosophy Talk podcast.
Maimonides and the Goodness of the World
India’s economy, heritage forensics, WWII mobilization examined
New books by Cornell scholars examine India’s economy, cultural heritage and global conflict. College of Arts & Sciences authors analyze development challenges in India and document endangered South Caucasus heritage.
‘Heritage Forensics’ investigates cultural heritage caught up in war
Researchers from Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences have developed a forensics framework to document cultural heritage destruction. Their new book, "Heritage Forensics," examines threats to historic sites and advances methods for protecting endangered cultural heritage in war zones.
School of Criticism and Theory marks 50 years of intellectual exchange
The School of Criticism and Theory at Cornell University, a six-week summer program that serves as a hub for interdisciplinary inquiry in the humanities and social sciences, celebrated its 50th anniversary with events June 16-17.
How Lauren Weisberger ’99 wrote a novel – and sparked a phenomenon
Lauren Weisberger’s novel The Devil Wears Prada is resurging with a 2026 film sequel, reflecting lasting cultural impact. The Cornell College of Arts and Sciences alum’s debut novel became a bestseller, film, and musical inspired by her Vogue experience.
Your May 2026 reads
Books featured by the alumni website Cornellians for May 2026 include, y Cornell College of Arts and Sciences alumni and faculty, a ‘poetic memoir,’ a study of the Gospel of John, and the final mystery from a genre luminary.
'I was able to deepen ties with my own culture'
Anees Mitri is majoring in government and Near Eastern studies.
Reclaiming experience: Approaches to trauma
Scholars in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences are redefining trauma research across humanities, examining delayed memory’s effects on individuals, culture and history. Their insights from many different academic disciplines, including literature, history, archaeology and psychoanalysis connect trauma, testimony and collective witness.
Hyrum Edwards '25 awarded Fulbright/Turkish Universities Master's Program Award
Congratulations to Hyrum Edwards, Cornell Class of 2025 and Near Eastern Studies and Jewish Studies major, who was awarded a 2026 Fulbright/Turkish Universities Master's Program Award.
Cornell experts on Trump Christ image, Catholic–evangelical tensions
Faculty experts from Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences analyze how Donald Trump’s AI-generated Christ image and attacks on Pope Leo have escalated Vatican tensions and drawn criticism from Catholics and evangelicals. The controversy reveals fractures linking faith, politics, and conservative Christian identity.
Admitted Class of 2030 seeks real-world impact
Cornell admits the Class of 2030 emphasizing real-world impact, enrolling 5,776 students from 102 countries. At Cornell University, the diverse cohort reflects the land-grant mission and applied learning goals across multiple colleges.
Humanities students take D.C. trip to advocate for funding
Cornell University Humanities Scholars traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for increased National Endowment for the Humanities and National Archives funding, meeting with congressional offices to highlight the impact of humanities programs on education. Their two‑day trip underscored how federal support strengthens community partnerships, language programs, and public humanities initiatives benefiting campuses and local organizations…
End-times rhetoric in US military ‘didn’t infiltrate, was invited in’
Use of Christian apocalyptic language by commanders reflects a climate shaped from the top down, says one Cornell expert. Another adds: the belief that Christians should actively bring about the end times rests on a misreading of the Book of Revelation.
John: The life and times of the ‘maverick’ Gospel
The fourth Gospel of the New Testament holds many of the Bible’s most well-known passages, but also some of its controversies.
Brann's book is finalist in National Jewish Book Award
Ross Brann's recently published book, "Moses Maimonides: A Very Short Introduction," is a finalist in the 2025 National Jewish Book Award in Sephardic Culture.
Composer Michael Abels, famous for work on Jordan Peele films, to visit March 6-7
Events include film screenings, panel discussions and a concert by the Barbara & Richard T. Silver Wind Symphony.
Cornell's Alma Mater in Urdu
The Language Resource Center's eighth annual Lingua Mater competition just wrapped up, and they have announced the top three student entries.
Alum spotlight: Ibrahim Gemeah, Ph.D. ’23
Ibrahim Gemeah, Ph.D. ’23, is an alumnus of the Near Eastern studies doctoral program with a focus on the history of the modern Middle East. He is now an assistant professor of modern Middle East and North African history in the department of Middle Eastern languages and cultures at Indiana University.
#RaptureTok and the history of end-times beliefs: Cornell religion expert
Apocalyptic predictions are "far from new, but social media has whipped up a frenzy," says Cornell religion expert Kim Haines-Eitzen.
Einaudi welcomes SWANA Program
The Einaudi Center welcomes the Southwest Asia and North Africa Program and four new program directors this fall.
Alumni Spotlight: D. Gershon Lewental '03
I graduated in 2003 with a double major in Near Eastern Studies and Economics and a concentration in International Relations. Confident that I wanted to pursue a career in academia, I started immediately my PhD studies at Brandeis University, where my dissertation explored the changing perceptions over time of a key battle (Qādisiyyah) during the…
‘Sacred Ground’ exhibit receives Historic Ithaca preservation award
Open now through Dec. 31, the exhibit highlights findings from a four-year archaeological excavation of Ithaca’s St. James A.M.E. Zion Church conducted by Cornell faculty, students and Ithaca school children from 2021–2024.
New book introduces Maimonides, ‘one of civilization’s greatest minds’
Maimonides, one of the most significant intellectual figures of the medieval period,worked as a physician, thought like a scientist, and served as a leader of the Jewish community in Cairo.