Middle East Concentrations available
Undergraduates can pursue study of the Middle East in many ways at Duke. Some of the most popular are:
- Duke Arabic Program
- Hebrew Minor
- International Comparative Studies-Middle East Track
- Jewish Studies Major
- Islamic Studies Certificate
- Jewish Studies Certificate
- Turkish Minor
Arabic Major or Minor
The Duke Arabic Program trains both undergraduate and graduate students to communicate with others in a wide region extending from the Atlantic to the Gulf- a part of the world that is both economically important and always in the news. Arabic has helped many undergraduates to further their training in several professional and academic fields, such as Public Policy, Comparative Area Studies, Religion, Economics, Literature, History, and Anthropology. The Arabic Program is a vital component of Duke University's graduate program in Islamic Studies.
Arabic majors and minors are offered through the Duke department of Asian and Middle East Studies (AMES)
Herbrew Minor
The department of Asian and Middle East Studies is also home to the Hebrew Language Program.
They offer a Minor in Hebrew, cultural classes, and co-listed courses with Judaic Studies. The scope of course offerings will allow you to tailor your studies to your own personal interests while following a rigorous curriculum and a thought provoking experience.
Many students combine Hebrew language study with a major or minor in Religion or a Jewish Studies Certificate.
International Comparative Studies (ICS)
Students can concentrate on the Middle East through ICS, which offers an AB degree to students interested in the interdisciplinary study of societies and cultures of a particular region of the world, complemented with the comparative study of international issues.
Each ICS student chooses to concentrate on a single world region by taking courses from a variety of departments while also studying a language appropriate to that region.
Many students combine an ICS-Middle East focus with the Islamic Studies Certificate or an Arabic concentration in AMES.
Majoring in Jewish Studies
Students who wish to major in Jewish studies have two options: They may do so as religion majors, concentrating on Judaica, or through Duke's innovative Program II. This program offers a student the flexibility to design a curriculum to accommodate unusual interests and talents, with the aid of a faculty advisor.
Read more about the undergraduate major in religion.
Read more about Program II.
First-year student Sarah Haas writes about studying Arabic at Duke in the blog she writes for Duke Admissions.
Duke in Turkey: Summer 2011
Professors Bruce Lawrence and miriam cooke led the Duke in Turkey study abroad program this summer. You can read about their activities and adventures on the Duke in Turkey 2011 blog.
DukeEngage Cairo 2011:
Our students arrived in Cairo the last week of May and will be there through the end of July. You can read about their civic engagement experiences on the DE Cairo blog.
Undergraduate Certificate in Islamic Studies
The Duke Islamic Studies Center offers an undergraduate certificate in Islamic Studies. The Islamic Studies Certificate is a popular complement to majors in Arabic, International Comparative Studies - Middle East track, Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, Religion, Cultural Anthropology, History and other fields.
Turkish Minor
The Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies offers a minor in Turkish Language and Culture. The minor combines Turkish language study with regional courses dealing with the Balkans, Eurasia, Islam, and/or the Middle East count toward the minor.
A list of courses that qualify for the minor can be obtained from the Slavic and Eurasian Studies department or by .
Undergraduate Certificate in Jewish Studies
The Duke Center for Jewish Studies is an exciting interdepartmental program that offers courses including Religion, Political Science, History, Cultural Anthropology, Comparative Literature, Hebrew Language and Literature, Women's Studies, Germanic languages, and more. The Center offers students the flexibility to design a curriculum that meets their individual interests.
