Near Eastern Studies
 (NES)

NES investigates the languages (Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew), history, cultures, literature and geography of the region now known as the Middle East, but referred to as the Near East for studies of the pre-Christian era. This region includes the Arab world, Turkey, Iran and Israel, and ranges from Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean to the Persian Gulf.  NES offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Master of Arts (MA) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees with a major in Near Eastern Studies. 

Students can take courses ranging from Islamic Art & Architecture to History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, and can study subjects such as Middle Eastern Linguistics and Islamic thought. The department also offers many language courses in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish, as well as classes in Middle Eastern literatures.

MA students enroll for- (1) A thesis track, requiring three years of a Middle Eastern language and a thesis; or (2) A pre-professional track or 'general track', requiring two years of a Middle Eastern language and a final departmental paper.  See the thesis Graduate page for information on thesis concentrations of  study.  

Concentrations at the doctoral level are available in the fields of: 

- Critical Studies in Modern Middle Eastern Culture and Society
- Islamic Studies
- Linguistics of Middle Eastern Languages
- Middle Eastern Literatures (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish)

For more information about the Near Eastern Studies program at The University of Arizona, please contact us by e-mail: neareast@u.arizona.edu