Middle East studies at Dickinson draws upon a broad-based liberal-arts curriculum to enable a sophisticated exploration of the region's history, diverse cultures and complex politics. 

The Middle East studies program at Dickinson offers a wide range of courses that explore the region’s historical and cultural roots and its role in global affairs today. Through the study of Arabic, Hebrew, history, political science, religion and sociology, students acquire robust understanding of the forces that shape the Middle East.

Middle East studies majors frequently study in the region during the junior year to further language proficiency and develop research projects. The program also includes a minor in Arabic, one of the six official languages of the United Nations, a language spoken by more than 300 million people worldwide and the official language of the 22 countries of the Arab League.

Contact Info

Chair

Magda Siekert Senior Lecturer in Middle East Studies

Department Coordinator

Madeline Brown

Phone

717-245-1521

Fax

717-245-1479

Location

219B, Denny Hall Mailing Address

Department Features


battling_inequities_lt.jpg
Study Abroad
innovation_honored_lt.jpg
Current Courses

Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs:

  • U.S. House of Representatives
  • U.S. Congress
  • U.S. Department of State,
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • AmeriCares
  • Amideast
  • Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
  • Council on Foreign Relations
  • Dev Technology Group
  • International SOS Assistance, Inc.
  • Peace Corps
  • Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Graduate Schools:

  • U.S. Naval Academy
  • U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute
  • Drexel University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • London School of Economics
  • University of Maryland Law School
  • Boston University
  • University of Maine
Where Our Students Have Interned
  • Advantus Strategies
  • National Endowment for Democracy
  • Naval History and Heritage Command
  • U.S. Army War College, Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute
  • U.S. Army War College, Center for Strategic Studies
  • U.S. Army War College, L2KM Division
  • United Nations Association of Rochester

Student Perspective

"When I started at Dickinson, I was sure that I would be an international studies major with a concentration on the Middle East. I realized that Middle East studies offered the specificity I wanted, and the security studies certificate was the perfect pairing. The curriculum flexibility in both programs has allowed me to study two languages, which was important to me."

- Grace Ingle ’20


Middle East Studies News

All News Department News
Student Snapshot: Alexander Rojek

Student Snapshot: Alexander Rojek '25

As a philosophy major, Alexander Rojek ’25 revels in life’s big questions. He puts what he's learning into action as a Community Engagement Fellow and tutor.

read more
Student Snapshot: Caitlyn Longest ’23

Student Snapshot: Caitlyn Longest ’23

Studio art major Caitlyn Longest ’23 has interned in NYC and Italy, and she's created art in Jordan. "I've learned to adapt to different places quickly and make the most of my time," she says.

read more
Dickinson College to Host Talk on Racism and Religious Freedom

Dickinson College to Host Talk on Racism and Religious Freedom

The discussion, which marks the annual Wesley Lecture, will focus on the intersection of race and the Muslim identity in the U.S.

read more
Panel Will Examine Impact of 9/11 in Discussion Hosted by Dickinson College

Panel Will Examine Impact of 9/11 in Discussion Hosted by Dickinson College

Dickinson will host a panel of experts to discuss how 9/11 changed politics, law and everyday life in the United States.

read more
Two Dickinson College Students Receive U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship

Two Dickinson College Students Receive U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship

Rediet Patterson '22 and Xenia Makosky '24 will further their study of Arabic through the scholarship.

read more
Dickinson College Professors to Discuss Protests Around the World

Dickinson College Professors to Discuss Protests Around the World

A panel of five Dickinson professors representing a variety of disciplines and national backgrounds will address worldwide environmental activism and protest movements in different countries.

read more