The major in Middle East/South Asia Studies (MESA) offers comparative studies of the Middle East and South Asia, regions that have been integrally linked for centuries by trade, migration, exchange of scientific, mathematical, political and philosophical ideas, religion, literature, and art. This region encompasses 44 countries, with particular focus on the Arab Gulf, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, the Meghreb (North Africa), Palestine, Syria and Turkey. Students will explore the culture, history, politics and economies of these regions through courses from a variety of disciplines: Anthropology, Art History, Asian American Studies, Classics, Comparative Literature, English, Film Studies, History, Music, Political Science, Religious Studies and Women & Gender Studies. Students are encouraged to take advantage of our Education Abroad Program to gain first hand experience in Egypt, India and/or Turkey.
Graduates are well qualified to pursue careers or post-baccalaureate study in a variety of fields, as represented by the interdisciplinary nature of the Middle East/South Asia studies program. This major provides an excellent background for careers in business, government agencies and international development, teaching and translation.
The Middle East/South Asia Studies major focuses on the comparative study of these two critical regions and their historically intertwined cultures and economies. Students will receive a strong foundation in the regional languages, with at least two years required in Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi/Urdu or other regional languages. The two required Middle East/South Asia studies courses lay a comparative foundation, with remaining requirements offering coursework from a dozen different departments/programs within the College of Letters and Science.
Name: Gurjit Mann
Contact: gkmann@ucdavis.edu, 530-754-4926
UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions
178 Mrak Hall
530-752-2971
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