Welcome...

In the summer of 1965 the University of Pennsylvania set up a center for the study of the modern Near East. The Center formed a part of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and looked to add a contemporary dimension to Penn’s programs in ancient and medieval studies of the Middle East. Click here for more historical information. Today, the Center's mission remains raising awareness of the unique circumstances of the region through research and instructional programs. The MEC has adopted an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the Middle East, and we offer a wide range of educational opportunities to support this endeavor.

• Our Philosophy

The Middle East Center is non-partisan and takes no official political position on any issues. Instead, it is a hub for nurturing research, teaching, and an appreciation of things Middle Eastern. It draws on the extensive resources that Penn has dedicated to the region.

• Major and Minor in Modern Middle East Studies

In 2007, the MEC offered undergraduate students the opportunity to concentrate their studies on the region by offering both a major and a minor in Modern Middle East Studies. This interdisciplinary degree allows students to combine coursework from several departments in the humanities and social sciences. It also incorporates language study in the preparation of undergraduates committed to the major. For more information about the requirements, click here.

• Outreach Program for Educators and the Public

The MEC provides kindergarten-through-high school teachers, as well as the wider public, access to the multitude of resources on the Middle East available through the University of Pennsylvania. Our outreach activities reflect the diverse nature of the region and embrace a wide array of faiths, languages, civilizations, countries, and issues in the Middle East. We are available to cater to the different needs and interests of educators, the media, religious congregations, and the general public. Although the MEC takes no official stance on any controversial topics, we provide a public forum for dialogue on issues related to the region. For more information on our Outreach Program, click here.

• Certificate in Middle East and Islamic Studies at Penn Law
  

For Law Students interested in applications of Middle East and Islamic Studies to Law, the Center has created a certificate program that addresses linguistic, cultural and legal issues of the Middle East. To qualify for the Certificate of Study in Middle East and Islamic Studies, students must successfully complete at least four courses that have been identified by the MEC as meeting the requirements of this degree's coursework. For more information, click here.

Click here for a message about the Center's co-sponsorship of events on campus.