# Middle East Studies

**Source**: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs/middle-east-studies-ab
**Parent**: https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs

The concentration in Middle East Studies (MES) seeks to build a strong, interdisciplinary understanding of historical and contemporary issues within the Middle East, broadly defined.

Degree Type

A.B.

department

[Middle East Studies](https://cmes.watson.brown.edu/)

[More Information](https://cmes.watson.brown.edu/academics/undergraduate-concentration)

[All Programs](https://www.brown.edu/undergraduate-programs)

CIP Code

05.0108ℹ

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) was developed by the U.S. Department of Education to categorize educational programs in the U.S. for a variety of reporting purposes. Each program at Brown is assigned a CIP code that best matches its academic curriculum.

[Current STEM Eligible CIP Codes](https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stem-opt-hub/additional-resources/eligible-cip-codes-for-the-stem-opt-extension)

- [Anthropology](http://anthropology.brown.edu/)
- [Archaeology](https://archaeology.brown.edu/)
- [Classics](https://classics.brown.edu/)
- [Comparative Literature](https://complit.brown.edu/)
- [Egyptology/AWAS](https://e-a.brown.edu/)
- [History](https://history.brown.edu/)
- [History of Art and Architecture](https://hiaa.brown.edu/)
- [Judaic Studies](https://judaicstudies.brown.edu/)
- [Language Studies](http://cls.brown.edu/)
- [Political Science](https://polisci.brown.edu/)
- [Religious Studies](https://religious-studies.brown.edu/)

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# Middle East Studies

The concentration in Middle East Studies (MES) seeks to build a strong, interdisciplinary understanding of historical and contemporary issues within the Middle East, broadly defined.

Requirements are intentionally flexible to accommodate the focused interests of students in understanding the diverse dynamics, histories, and societies of this region. A variety of courses from departments across the University, addressing subjects from antiquity to the present day, expose students to methods and materials of different disciplines and help them build a framework for understanding the Middle East in historical and contemporary context. Concentration requirements are structured around four major cornerstones: language, foundational knowledge and methods, multidisciplinary area studies, and research.

- [List of requirements](https://bulletin.brown.edu/the-college/concentrations/mide)
- [Honors website](http://watson.brown.edu/mes/students/concentration/pursuing-an-honors-thesis-in-mes)

## Student Goals

Students in this concentration will:

- Develop competency in at least one modern Middle Eastern language (such as Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, or Turkish)
- Understand basic dynamics of the region in the modern and pre-modern periods
- Become familiar with approaches to studying the Middle East and some major problems and questions that have characterized academic inquiry into the region
- Become acquainted with different disciplinary approaches to studying the Middle East, as well as multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary models for its study
- Produce a work of original research focused on the Middle East that draws on their experience in the concentration in terms of knowledge, skills, and approaches

## Department Undergraduate Group (DUG)

Student Leaders: Dorra Omrani, Layla Ahmed

## Graduating Class

| Class Year | Total Students | Honors Graduates |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2021 | 8 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 | 8 | 2 |
| 2025 | 6 | 0 |

Middle East Studies concentrators have gone on to become attorneys, management consultants, fundraisers and grant-writers, entrepreneurs, and diplomats.

What are Middle East Studies concentrators doing…

The Director of Undergraduate Studies is typically the first point of contact for prospective concentrators. Once students have declared, they may be assigned a specific concentration advisor from within the department or program.

- [Alexander Winder](mailto:Alex_Winder@brown.edu)

- [Faiz Ahmed](mailto:Faiz_Ahmed@brown.edu)
- [Nadje Al-Ali](mailto:Nadje_Al-Ali@brown.edu)
- [Shahzad Bashir](mailto:Shahzad_Bashir@brown.edu)
- [Beshara Doumani](mailto:Beshara_Doumani@brown.edu)
- [Yannis Hamilakis](mailto:Yannis_Hamilakis@brown.edu)
- [Jennifer Johnson](mailto:Jennifer_Johnson1@brown.edu)
- [Elias Muhanna](mailto:Elias_Muhanna@brown.edu)
- [Adi Ophir](mailto:Adi_Ophir@brown.edu)
- [Alexander Winder](mailto:Alex_Winder@brown.edu)