Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations

The Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations offers undergraduate instruction in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, and Uyghur, as well as courses in ancient history and civilizations and the modern Middle East.

The curriculum is designed to strengthen a student's ability to communicate, reason, and understand the social, cultural, and physical environment of the ancient and modern Near Eastern, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean worlds. The department fosters careful and creative thinking in its students, based in the linguistic, cultural, and historical roots of the rich, varied, and strategically important societies of the Mediterranean basin.

Classroom study is supplemented by the diverse resources of Washington, DC, through field trips, foreign films, special lectures, and cultural programs at embassies. Students have opportunities to study abroad, including Greece, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco, and to participate in excavations around the world.

Visit the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations website for additional information.

Bachelor's programs

• Bachelor of Arts with a major in Arabic Studies
• Bachelor of Arts with a major in Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies

Combined program

• Dual Bachelor of Arts with a major in Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies and Master of Arts in the field of Museum Studies

Minors

• Minor in Arabic Studies
• Minor in Arabic and Hebrew Languages and Cultures
• Minor in Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Minor in Hebrew

Professors: E.H. Cline, M. Esseesy, C. Rollston (Chair)

Associate Professors: E.A. Friedland, F. Sinatora, A.M. Smith II, O. Zakai

Assistant Professors: C. Jorgensen, E. Oraby (Teaching), J. Tobkin (Teaching)

Teaching Instructors: D. El-Hefnawy, N. Taher

Explanation of Course Numbers

• Courses in the 1000s are primarily introductory undergraduate courses
• Those in the 2000s to 4000s are upper-level undergraduate courses that can also be taken for graduate credit with permission and additional work assigned
• Those in the 6000s and 8000s are for master’s, doctoral, and professional-level students
• The 6000s are open to advanced undergraduate students with approval of the instructor and the dean or advising office

• Arabic (ARAB)
• Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies (CLAS)
• Greek (GREK)
• Hebrew (HEBR)
• Latin (LATN)
• Persian (PERS)
• Turkish (TURK)
• Uyghur (UYGR)
• Yiddish (YDSH)