Middle East Studies
Available as a concentration
Sail up the Nile. Study in Jerusalem.
Challenge current preconceptions and familiarize yourself with the ancient beginnings of humankind. Understand how past and present mingle in the most geopolitically important region of our time. By studying past and present Middle East, you will have a better understanding of a history rich in culture and conflict and how it propelled us into today's climate.
Curriculum & Courses
Sample Course Offerings
ARTH 220: Ancient Egypt Art & Archeology
HIST 284: Modern Middle East
POLI/IR 234 The Arab Israeli Conflict
RELG 204: Islam
Student Experiences
Travel Opportunities
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Students have the opportunity to take intensive learning courses alongside professors. In May of 2019, Dr. Jonathan Snow took students to Israel for a course titled Cooperation & Conflict: Middle East.
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Research alongside a professor on an archeological dig in Egypt
Roanoke students have the opportunity to dig for ancient artifacts, alongside Art History professor Leslie Warden. In Egypt, she has unearthed pottery and stone tools, which reveal the presence of an ancient industrial zone.
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Experiencing Egypt
The generosity of an anonymous Roanoke College donor enabled art history majors Serena Soterakopoulos '18 and Jacob Friedrich '19 to travel to Elephantine Island, Egypt, for five weeks in 2017. The student ceramic research assistants dove into the rich archaeological history of Elephantine Island while exploring the current vibrancy of the Egyptian culture.
Normally, Soterakopoulos and Friedrich conduct their research-primarily the analysis of ceramic material procured from various Egyptian archeological sites-on campus with Dr. Leslie Anne Warden, assistant professor of art history and archaeology. For this experience, they assisted on the "Realities of Life" archaeological project, which is run by the German Archaeological Institute, Cairo. The project studies an ancient Egyptian settlement on the southeastern portion of the island, located in the middle of the Nile River. Read more.
Learn by Doing
Learning through travel
Students have traveled to Bulgaria, Egypt, Israel, Russia, Turkey, Morocco and others to experience the countries firsthand.
Turkey
Turkey
Israel
Turkey
Israel
Egypt
Turkey
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Egypt
Opportunities
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Events
Student-led Israel/Palestine Peace Week hosted speakers and music to elicit conversations about conflict, shared experiences and culture. Faculty events include film festivals and teach-ins on current issues.
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Model UN and Arab League
Our students have the opportunity to travel with a faculty member to national and international Model UN and regional Arab League conferences.
Faculty
News
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In a special appearance at Roanoke College, which has a close partnership with Habitat, Jonathan Reckford shared what he’s learned during his years leading the global nonprofit.
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George Kendall ’23 will serve as a cultural ambassador during a year dedicated to living and working in the North Rhine-Westphalia region.
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The end-of-year presentation included an honorary award for Salem Mayor Renee Turk ’77 and a new recognition for first-year students.
Events
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Come join the Religion and Philosophy Department for bagels with schmear, coffee and good conversation!
- Date:
- September 27, 2023
- Time:
- 9 - 10:30 a.m.
- Location:
Morehead/Chalmers Covered Patio
Sail up the Nile. Study in Jerusalem.
Challenge current preconceptions and familiarize yourself with the ancient beginnings of humankind. Understand how past and present mingle in the most geopolitically important region of our time. By studying past and present Middle East, you will have a better understanding of a history rich in culture and conflict and how it propelled us into today's climate.
Our new Middle East studies concentration brings together scholars of language, politics, history, economics, archaeology, anthropology, literature, sociology and other fields. There are many paths within this concentration, allowing students to come into this concentration through their own particular interests. Successful students will graduate with the cultural and historical knowledge necessary to explore higher-level learning related to the field both inside and outside of the classroom.
We offer a concentration in Middle East Studies.