Middle Eastern Studies

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu/.

Overview

The interdisciplinary major in Middle Eastern Studies (MES) provides an opportunity to study a region of historic and cultural importance whose current development is bound up with the political, economic, and cultural development of our own society. The Middle East encompasses the Arab world, Turkey, Iran, and Israel. This program is designed to allow students to study the culture and history of the region; its basic geographic, demographic, and ethnographic characteristics; recent political, economic, social, and cultural changes; and at least one of the major Middle Eastern languages of today.

Middle Eastern Studies is administered by the International & Area Studies Academic Program (IAS) .

Undergraduate Programs

Middle Eastern Studies : BA

Graduate Program

There is no graduate program in Middle Eastern Studies.

Visit Program Website

Courses

Middle Eastern Studies

M E STU 10 Introduction to Middle Eastern Studies 4 Units

This course is a lower division introduction to the study of the contemporary Middle East and North Africa, with emphasis on historical trajectories, political, social, and cultural transformations, and religious phenomena. It covers topics related to the Arab world, Turkey, Iran, and Israel from an interdisciplinary perspective. The intended audience for the course is Middle Eastern Studies majors, prospective majors, and minors, for whom it fulfills the lower division requirement, as well as students in other majors interested in the Middle East.

M E STU 20 Perspectives on the Middle East 2 Units

A weekly seminar including guest speakers on (1) ethnic perspectives (Persians, Arabs, Turks, Israelis); (2) religious perspectives (Islam, Christianity, Judaism); and (3) disciplinary perspectives (anthropology, sociology, etc.). The seminar introduces students to the work of several major Berkeley Middle East scholars. The class has no prerequisites and admission preference is given to lower division students and prospective Middle Eastern majors.

M E STU 24 Freshman Seminar 1 Unit

The Freshman Seminar Program has been designed to provide new students with the opportunity to explore an intellectual topic with a faculty member in a small seminar setting. Freshman seminars are offered in all campus departments, and topics vary from department to department and semester to semester. Enrollment is limited to 15 freshmen.

M E STU 98 Directed Group Study for Lower Division Students 1 - 4 Units

Seminars in various fields of Middle East studies designed to introduce beginning undergraduates to problems of importance to students interested in the Middle East. Topics vary from semester to semester.

M E STU 102 Scope and Methods of Research in Middle Eastern Studies 4 Units

Required for all students majoring in Middle Eastern Studies, open to all students in International and Area Studies Teaching Program focusing on the Middle East interdisciplinary research strategies for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data. Course integrates the study of the fundamental theories of social science, with the practical techniques of social science research methods.

M E STU 109 Model Arab League 3 Units

The Model Arab League is a simulation of the League of Arab States similar to the Model United Nations. Class meetings will be for familiarization of relevant political perspectives within the context of the Arab world. Students learn parliamentary procedure and to prepare resolutions. Each student is assigned to a committee and is responsible for participating in the development of the committee's resolution and its presentation at the Model Arab League.

M E STU 120 Selected Topics--Middle Eastern Studies 3 Units

Interdisciplinary study of selected topics in Middle Eastern studies. Each offering will focus on specific issues or topics concerning one or more areas of the Middle East. Through lectures, discussions, and multimedia presentations, students will explore a variety of perspectives relating to the subject matter of the course. Students will be expected to successfully complete various writing assignments or short projects, and written exam(s).

M E STU 130 Cross-Listed Topics 1 - 4 Units

This course is designed to accommodate cross-listed courses offered through other departments, the content of which is applicable to Middle Eastern Studies majors. Content and unit values vary from course to course.

M E STU 150 Advanced Study in the Middle East 4 Units

Advanced research in current issues of Middle Eastern Studies. Seminars will focus on specific areas or topics with appropriate comparative material included. A major research project is required as well as class presentations. Topics to vary from semester to semester.

M E STU 190 Senior Thesis 1 - 4 Units

With the guidance of a faculty member of the program, the preparation and presentation of a senior thesis pertaining to the student's individual area of concentration within the Middle Eastern Studies major. Final paper required. Units determined on consultation with instructor.

M E STU 194 On-Line Research and Digital Production for Middle Eastern Studies 3 Units

This workshop is intended for Middle Eastern Studies majors undertaking senior theses projects. It should be taken in the spring semester, while students are enrolled in MES 190/H195: “Senior Thesis in MES.” Students in this workshop will explore online research tools and web-building techniques with an aim to complement their theses with multimedia websites that disseminate their findings and demonstrate their capacity for research to a wider audience. Moreover, the study of these tools, techniques, and publishing platforms will enable students to hone their digital literacy in an increasingly connected online world.

M E STU H195 Honors in Middle Eastern Studies 4 Units

This course is the second of a two-semester senior honors program and culminates in the completion of a senior thesis. The thesis project begins with 102, which must be successfully completed before enrollment in H195. During this semester, an honors thesis of approximately 50-75 pages is completed under the direct supervision of the instructor of the Honors seminar program in International and Area Studies and a faculty member appropriate to the student's interest.

M E STU 198 Directed Group Study for Upper Division Students 1 - 4 Units

Seminar for the group study of selected Middle Eastern related topics not covered by regularly scheduled courses. A written proposal must be approved by a Middle Eastern Studies faculty adviser. Final paper required. Units determined on consultation with instructor.

M E STU 199 Supervised Independent Study and Research 1 - 4 Units

For students wishing to pursue an interest not represented in the curriculum by developing an individual program of study and research supervised by a faculty member. A written proposal must be approved by a Middle Eastern Studies faculty adviser. Final paper required. Units determined on consultation with instructor.

Faculty

Professors

Hesham Khairy Issa, PhD, Professor.

Contact Information

International and Area Studies Academic Program

101 Stephens Hall

Phone: 510-642-4466

Fax: 510-642-9850

iastp@berkeley.edu

Visit Program Website

Program Chair

Nezar AlSayyad, PhD (Department of Architecture and Department of City and Regional Planning)

nezar@berkeley.edu

Lead Undergraduate Academic Adviser

Susan Joerling

101 Stephens Hall

Phone: 510-643-4156

joerling@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Academic Adviser

Victoria Barone

101 Stephens Hall

Phone: 510-643-7282

vbarone@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Academic Adviser

Saba Sohail

101 Stephens Hall

Phone: 510-643-4159

saba_sohail@berkeley.edu

Back to Top