Middle East Studies Provides students with a thorough grounding in the modern Middle East and Islamic Central Asia and a view of how this region fits into the world community politically, historically, and economically. A variety of courses in economic development, anthropology, economics, and historical and political geography is offered. Political science courses range from those concerning the government and politics of the Middle East in general to theories of revolution in the Middle East and North Africa, and the Arab-Israeli dispute. History courses range from the general history of the region to such topics as the expansion of Islam, the modern Middle East, and Ottoman history. Allows flexibility in designing a course of study to meet career goals calling for area expertise.
Students usually focus on one geographical region Russia, East Europe, the Baltics, or Central Asia.
The curriculum, especially strong in the social sciences, history and languages, includes courses in anthropology, comparative literature, economics, geography, history, linguistics, political science, art, sociology, business, drama, law, marine affairs, music, public affairs, education and forest resources. Combines training in language with the study of various aspects of modern and traditional South Asian life. The faculty provide notable strengths in culture, politics, philosophy, history, the traditional literature and cultures of Hinduism and Buddhism, the languages, literatures, and linguistics of India and Tibet, and the musical arts of the region. Instruction is also provided on contemporary topics in international relations, ethnicity, and political economy and development in the South Asian subcontinent. Comparative Religion Developed out of the study of a wide spectrum of cultural traditions in the area studies programs of the Jackson School, this program is highly international and transcultural.