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The Major
All students majoring in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations must fulfill a set of
Basic Requirements. These requirements are to be met within one of four linguistic and cultural concentrations: Hebrew & Judaica
(Heb/Jud), Arabic & Islamic Studies (Arab/Islam), Arabic & Hebrew Studies - modern or medieval (Arab/Heb), Ancient Near Eastern
Civilizations (ANE).
In addition to the Basic Requirements, there are further requirements specific to each concentration.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: 14 c.u.
Language Requirement: 6 c.u.
Both basic language courses and advanced courses in literature in the original language count toward this requirement.
Breadth Requirement: 2 c.u.
AMES 25 (Introduction to the Ancient Near East) and AMES 36 (Introduction to the Middle East), which are broad-based, culturally
integrated introductory courses on Near Eastern literatures, history, cultures, and thought from ancient to modern times, fulfill
the breadth requirement. This requirement provides majors with a overall understanding of Near Eastern cultures which span more
than four millennia, so that they are familiar with other Near East traditions in addition to the one in which they concentrate.
Electives: 6 c.u.
These will normally be content courses within the chosen concentration, but each concentration imposes certain constraints on the
electives to be selected. Electives must be selected for appropriateness with the student's major advisor.
Students may count up to four courses from outside the Department (i.e., not cross-listed in NELC) towards the major electives; and
up to seven courses, with the special approval of the student's advisor. In no case may a student count more than half of the
total major requirements in non-NELC courses.
Concentration Paper Requirement:
Within his or her chosen concentration, every student must write a substantial term paper in conjunction with an appropriate
"upper-level" course. In all cases, these courses must be pre-designated by the student, and the paper topic must be pre-approved
by the professor teaching the course. A Concentration Paper Requirement Form (available in the Department office), with the
professor's pre-approval, must be filed with the student's record prior to the writing of the paper. Upon completion and acceptance
of the concentration paper, the professor must sign the form again and return it to the Department office. Should there be a term
in which no appropriate "upper-level "course is offered in the student's concentration, the advisor may approve a reading and research
course (NELC 201) with an appropriate instructor. All concentration papers must receive a grade of A or A- in order to fulfill
the requirement.
CONCENTRATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Arabic & Islamic Studies (Arab/Islam):
This concentration explores Arabic, Persian and/or Turkish cultures in the context of Islamic civilization. The language requirement
(6 c.u.) is to be fulfilled in either Arabic, Persian, or Turkish. Electives, to be chosen in consultation with the student's advisor,
may be focused on either the medieval or modern period, but must include a minimum of one course each in history, literature (in the
original language or translation), and religion. Examples of concentration paper courses are AMES 434 (Arabic Literature and Literary
Theory), and AMES 437 (The Islamic Intellectual Tradition).
Arabic & Hebrew Studies (Arab/Heb):
This concentration explores the inter-relationships between Arabic and Hebrew cultures within the modern and/or medieval periods.
The language requirement (6 c.u.) may be split between two years (4 c.u.) of one language (Arabic or Hebrew) and one year (2 c.u.)
of the other. Students are encouraged, however, to study the second of the two languages for two years also, by using 2 of the
elective courses for that purpose. The electives, to be chosen in conjunction with the major adviser, as well as the concentration
paper should promote the combined study of Arabic and Hebrew cultures. Examples of concentration paper courses include: AMES 225
(Modern Middle East Literature, AMES 434 (Literary Theory and Arabic Literature), AMES 437 (Islamic Intellectual Tradition),
AMES 359 (Modern Hebrew Literature), AMES 352 (Classical Midrash).
Hebrew & Judaica (Heb/Jud):
This concentration explores Hebrew culture from the Biblical through the Rabbinic and Medieval periods and modern times. Students
without previous knowledge of Hebrew are required to fulfill the language requirement (6 c.u.) with three years of basic Hebrew
instruction (AMES 51-54 and AMES 50 and 350). For students placing out of lower-level courses, the corresponding number of c.u.
is converted to electives. For all students, however, 3 c.u. from the electives must be upper-level courses in Hebrew texts, one
each in the areas of Biblical literature, Rabbinic or Medieval literature, and modern Hebrew literature. Examples of concentration
paper courses are AMES 353 (Talmudic Midrashic Literature), AMES 359 (Modern Hebrew Poetry and Prose), AMES 456 (Ancient
Interpretation of the Bible), AMES 550 (Book of the Bible), AMES 554 (Seminar in Jewish Law). Double-majors who have placed out
of elementary language courses may apply to have the majorrequirement reduced to 12 c.u. For further information, consult the
concentration advisor.
Ancient Near East (ANE):
This concentration explores the cultures of the ancient Near East, including Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Israelite, Hittite and
Persian civilizations. As for the language requirement, 2 c.u. of the 6 c.u. may be fulfilled by appropriate courses in literature
in translation such as AMES 61 (The Literary Legacy of Ancient Egypt) and AMES 346 (Introduction to Mesopotamian Literature).
Additional language c.u.’s will normally consist of either two years of Egyptian (AMES 460, 461, and 462), two years of Biblical
Hebrew (AMES 50 and 350) or two years of a West Semitic language, either Aramaic (AMES 457) or Ugaritic (AMES 557) or one year of
Akkadian (AMES 540) and one year of West Semitic. Electives will be taken from culture course offerings in at least two ancient
civilizations. Examples of concentration paper courses are AMES 466 (Archaeology and History of the Middle Kingdom) and AMES 346
(Intro to Mesopotamian Literature).
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