Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures

The Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures (MELC) major is the study of the languages, literature, history, and cultures of the Middle East from antiquity to modern times. MELC offers language programs in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish, and in the ancient languages of Egyptian, Sumerian, Akkadian, and Aramaic. Students can explore the interconnected worlds of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and their neighbors, as well as the modern literature and diverse cultures of the modern Middle East. The major also offers study in pre-modern and modern Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. The department offers students the opportunity to participate in a discovery experience that is innovative, collaborative, transdisciplinary, and features digital research.

The Middle Eastern Worlds specialization is the study of the material, intellectual, and religious histories and cultures of the region from ancient to modern times. Students can pursue a major in:

• Ancient Middle Eastern Worlds

• Modern Middle Eastern Worlds

The major in Middle Eastern Language and Cultures offers two specializations: 1) Languages and Literature and 2) Middle Eastern Worlds. Students in the Languages and Literature specialization can pursue a major in the modern languages of:

• Arabic

• Hebrew

• Persian 

Students can focus on a specific region, time period, language, art, and culture of the Middle East. The areas of study featured in the MELC department include: 

1) Ancient Middle Eastern societies & languages, including ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.

2) Modern Middle Eastern societies and languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish (minor only). 

Declaring the Major

Students are recommended to declare the major early in their academic careers. MELC 10 and MELC 11 are required lower-division courses, which may be taken after declaring the major. Students should consult with the undergraduate student advisor regarding major requirements, transfer credits, study abroad plans, and the opportunity to combine two disciplines through a double major study.  

Honors Program

Students in any of the Middle Eastern Language and Cultures majors, with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 or higher and a GPA of 3.51 or higher in courses completed in the major, may apply for admission to the honors program in their senior year. Students must maintain the required GPA in the major in order to remain eligible for the honors program. 

In addition to the GPA requirement, students must submit an honors thesis of at least 20 double-spaced, typewritten pages in their senior year. Students are required to enroll in an Independent Study course (MELC 199) in the fall semester and the honors course in (MELC H195) in the spring semester of their senior year in order to receive credit for the thesis. The honors thesis must be read and evaluated by a two-member committee consisting of a department faculty thesis supervisor and another member of the faculty. The thesis must be deemed to be at least B+ quality in order to qualify the candidate for graduation with a degree of honors. Students may receive distinctions of "high honors" or "highest honors" for outstanding thesis papers. 

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