Founded in 1974, the Middle East Studies Program (MESP) cultivates in-depth understanding of the Middle East, encompassing its historical background and contemporary economic, social, cultural, and political dynamics. Located within the Institute for Regional and International Studies—a unit of the International Division—they offer a comprehensive suite of programs including lecture series, outreach programs, and more. MESP equips future leaders with a strong foundation in Middle Eastern languages and cultures, preparing them for careers in or related to the region.
Academic opportunities
MSEP offers several esteemed academic opportunities, including language programs, interdisciplinary courses, and an undergraduate certificate:
Language programs: They facilitate modern Middle Eastern language programs in Arabic, Hebrew (biblical and modern), Persian, Turkish, and Azeri for undergraduate and graduate students with advanced language proficiency to bolster their research and fieldwork. In addition, MESP works closely with the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Language Institute (MEDLI). MEDLI is a summer intensive language program for undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals.
Interdisciplinary courses: MESP offers an extensive array of courses across multiple disciplines, including:
- The Arab-Israeli Conflict
- Islam and Politics
- Cultural Expressions in the Arab World
- The Modern Middle Eastern Novel
- Nationalism, Migration, and Violence in the Middle East
- Politics of Gender and Women’s Rights in the Middle East
- Israeli Politics and Society
- Muslims and Jews
Undergraduate certificate: The Middle East Studies undergraduate certificate is designed to provide an interdisciplinary perspective of the region’s history and contemporary dynamics and their representations across the diaspora.
Signature events and activities
MESP cultivates intellectual growth and widens perspectives through a range of programs, including:
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Outreach activities
MESP actively supports K-12 learning, fosters international collaboration, and empowers educators to globalize curriculum through their comprehensive outreach programs:
Local: MESP offers their ongoing lecture series and their annual spring conference to the public. Both the conference and lecture series draw people from the outside community who are interested in topics and initiatives related to the region of the Middle East.
Statewide: Working with the Wisconsin Film Festival and the UW Cinematheque, MESP brings Middle Eastern films to the big screen. Additionally, they work with the Wisconsin International Resource Consortium to provide teacher training events for K-12 and community college instructors. Examples include the event “International Children’s Literature Celebration on Folk and Fairytales,” and online workshops on topics such as “The Good Life: Global Perspectives on Wellbeing and Happiness,” and “Empowering Educators to Teach on Genocide.”
International: The Middle East Studies Program provides educational resources that are available to national and international audiences at no cost. Featured on their website under “Educational Resources,” audiences can explore various Middle Eastern topics, including history, society and politics, the Arab uprisings, music, art, literature, religion and more. MESP also organizes an annual, interdisciplinary conference where scholars from around the world gather to present their research on various aspects of a structuring theme.
Fellowships and research opportunities
MESP provides a wide range of reputable fellowships and grants, including but not limited to:
- MESP Conference Grant for Students and Non-Tenure-Eligible Instructors: The Middle East Studies Program offers grants to defray the expense of attending conferences. Conferences or papers presented must be relevant to the field of Middle East Studies.
- Boren Awards: These scholarships and fellowships provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including the Middle East.
Interested in learning more? Contact MESP below and follow them on their social media to stay up to date on the latest news and events!
Middle East Studies Program
324 Ingraham Hall
Email: middleeaststudies@wisc.edu
Phone: 608-262-5666
Address: 1155 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706
Web: mideast.wisc.edu
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