Middle East Studies Current Courses

Fall 2026

Course Code	Title/Instructor	Meets
ARBI 101-01	Elementary Arabic Instructor: Magda Siekert Course Description: An introduction to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Introduction to speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in the standard means of communication in the Arab world.	09:30 AM-10:20 AM, MTWRF DENNY 21
ARBI 201-01	Intermediate Arabic Instructor: Magda Siekert Course Description: Introduction to conversation and composition building on the skills developed in 101 and 102. Prerequisite: 102.	10:30 AM-11:20 AM, MTWRF DENNY 21
Courses Offered in HEBR
Course Code	Title/Instructor	Meets
HEBR 101-01	Elementary Modern Hebrew Instructor: Emanuel Ben-David Course Description: Introduction to the modern Hebrew language. Alphabet, phonics and grammatical structures. Emphasizes development of reading comprehension, composition and conversational skills.	09:30 AM-10:20 AM, MTWRF ASBELL SEM
HEBR 201-01	Intermediate Modern Hebrew Instructor: Emanuel Ben-David Course Description: Formal study of Hebrew language with emphasis on oral practice and writing skills. Prerequisite: 102 or the equivalent. This course fulfills the language graduation requirement.	10:30 AM-11:20 AM, MTWRF ASBELL SEM
Courses Offered in MEST
Course Code	Title/Instructor	Meets
MEST 121-01	Middle East to 1750 Instructor: David Commins Course Description: Cross-listed with HIST 121-01. The rise of Islam, the development of Islamic civilization in medieval times and its decline relative to Europe in the early modern era, 1500-1750.This course is cross-listed as HIST 121.	01:30 PM-02:45 PM, MR DENNY 203
MEST 200-01	Judaism Instructor: Andrea Lieber Course Description: Cross-listed with JDST 204-01 and RELG 204-01.	11:30 AM-12:20 PM, MWF DENNY 104
MEST 200-02	Religious Conflict, Violence, and Peacemaking Instructor: Shalom Staub Course Description: Cross-listed with JDST 216-01, RELG 260-01, and SOCI 230-01.	09:00 AM-10:15 AM, TR DENNY 311
MEST 259-01	Islam Instructor: David Commins Course Description: Cross-listed with HIST 259-01 and RELG 259-01. An introduction to Islamic beliefs and practices in their classical forms: rituals, law, mysticism, and other topics. The course will consider aspects of Islamic cultures and societies in medieval and modern times. This course is cross-listed as HIST 372 and RELG 259.	03:00 PM-04:15 PM, MR DENNY 203