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About the Program

The Middle East is home to the first great civilizations in history; it is also the cradle of the world’s three great monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Many of the finest achievements in art, architecture, philosophy, science, literature, theology, and law have been produced in the Middle East. This region is a wonderfully diverse mosaic of peoples and cultures: Arabs, Armenians, Berbers, Israelis, Kurds, Nubians, Persians, and Turks, among others.

The Middle East Studies program invites students to explore the rich texture of human experience in this vital and dynamic part of the world. Through a wide range of courses dealing with the history, languages, politics, literature, economics, religions, and cultures of this fascinating and important part of the world, the Middle East Studies program offers both an interdisciplinary introduction to the region and its peoples, as well as a broad exposure to the various scholarly approaches that define contemporary study of the Middle East. A unique feature of Middle East Studies at Drew is the opportunity the program frequently provides for students to participate in high quality, intensive, short-term, overseas study options in the Middle East. Recent Drew International Seminar (DIS) offerings have included programs in Egypt, Israel, and Yemen. The program also offers a minor in Middle East Studies for those wishing to pursue specialized study of the region.

Faculty

Director: Jennifer Olmsted, Economics

Affiliated Faculty: Maliha Safri, Economics; Christopher Taylor, Comparative Religion

Programs

• Middle East Studies Minor

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