Near Eastern Studies Program Jump To: Jump To: Program Offerings Certificate Offering type Certificate The Near Eastern Studies Program (NESP) provides students across the University the opportunity to study the languages, history, culture and institutions of the Near East and the broader Islamicate world. Its purpose is to enhance a liberal education and to offer additional training for students who plan a career in those areas. Goals for Student Learning Students who pursue an NESP certificate will: Learn at least one language from the region. Learn about the fascinating history of the region. Use the methodologies of the social sciences to better understand the societies of the Near East and the broader Islamicate world. Engage in independent research based on primary sources from the Near East and the broader Islamicate world. Be encouraged to spend time studying in the Near East. Admission to the Program Students may enter the program through the departments of anthropology, East Asian studies, economics, history, politics, religion, sociology, or the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Students from other departments who have an interest in Near Eastern studies may enter the program by special arrangements with the director. Students must meet the entrance requirements of the selected department in addition to those of the program. (Near Eastern Studies majors are not eligible to pursue this certificate.) Program of Study The student's plan of study is guided and given coherence by the director of the program, who generally serves as the student’s adviser. In general, students follow the plan of study of their department. A Princeton School of Public and International Affairs student in the program selects the Near East in the Modern World as a field of focus. The requirements of the program are as follows: Language Students who have had no relevant language training must take at least two years of Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi/Urdu, Persian, Swahili or Turkish language as elective courses. History All students will take at least one appropriate historically focused course in the Department of Near Eastern Studies. Students in the Department of History will take at least two such courses. Social Sciences All students will take at least two courses treating the Islamicate world that are chosen from the offerings of the departments of anthropology, Near Eastern studies, politics, religion, and sociology, and the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. Language Requirements Students are encouraged to begin the study of one of the above-named languages as early as possible in order to enable them to continue it beyond the required minimum and, if desired, to use it to meet the language requirement for the A.B. The program also encourages qualified students to enroll in summer language classes. Independent Work Ideally, the student’s junior independent work would have at least a partial focus on the Near East or the broader Islamicate world. Alternatively, with the permission of the program director, the student may write a separate research paper, usually 25–30 pages in length, about a Near East–related subject, beyond the student’s other course requirements. Ideally, the senior thesis is written on a Near Eastern or Islamicate subject under the supervision of a Near Eastern specialist in the appropriate department and the program. Alternatively, with the permission of the program director, the student may write a separate research paper, usually approximately 50 pages, about a Near East–related subject, beyond the student’s other course requirements. Students take the regular senior departmental examination given by their department, except that a portion of it deals with the Islamicate fields studied. These examinations are described in the sections of this catalog for each department. Study Abroad The program encourages those pursuing a certificate in NESP to spend time studying in the region. This might involve travel during a University break, a summer language course, or a semester or a full year abroad at a university in the Near East where students engage in intensive study of an appropriate regional language and society. The program has resources to help support students so they can take advantage of these opportunities. Certificate of Proficiency A student who completes the requirements of the program with satisfactory standing receives a certificate of proficiency in Near Eastern studies. Faculty Director Jonathan M. Gribetz Executive Committee Molly Greene, History Jonathan M. Gribetz, Near Eastern Studies Amaney A. Jamal, Politics Eve Krakowski, Near Eastern Studies Michael A. Reynolds, Near Eastern Studies Marina Rustow, Near Eastern Studies Daniel J. Sheffield, Near Eastern Studies Jack B. Tannous, History Tehseen Thaver, Religion Muhammad Q. Zaman, Near Eastern Studies Sits with Committee Sadaf Jaffer For a full list of faculty members and fellows please visit the department or program website.
