Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies
- MESA 100: Introduction to the Middle East
- Course Description: Introduction to the history, geography, and religions of the Middle East from ancient to modern times, focusing on how this history helped shape the Middle East of today. Required of all Middle East studies majors.
- Frequently Taught By: Gordon Newby
- MESA102: Introduction to South Asian Civilizations
- Course Description: This course is a multidisciplinary introduction to the civilizations of South Asia, including an overview of the history and historiography of the region from its prehistory to the present.
- Frequently Taught By: Velcheru Rao
- MESA190: Freshman Seminar in MESA
- Course Description: Exclusively for first-year students. Seminar provides introduction to various historical, religious, cultural, and linguistic aspects of the Middle East. Topics vary.
- Topics Include: Language and Power in Iran and Central Asia, Harem Tales, Islam in Europe, Great Cities of the Middle east, Hindu Mythology, Jewish Literature: American, European, Israeli
- Frequently Taught By: Hossein Samei, Ruby Lal, Oussama Cherribi, Roxani Eleni Margariti, Velcheru Rao, Ofra Yeglin
- MESA 200: Interpreting the Middle East
- Course Description: Exploration of themes such as identity, community, religion, and politics in the Middle East from ancient to modern times. Readings include historical and literary texts by various Middle Eastern authors. Required of all Middle East studies majors.
- Frequently Taught By: Roxani Eleni Margariti
- MESA 202: South Asian History and Identity
- Course Description: This course examines South Asian civilization from the perspective of the transition from medieval kingdoms to modern republics. It focuses on debates about history, community and identity to ask how South Asian societies conceived of belonging, power and prosperity.
- Frequently Taught By: Ruby Lal
- MESA 235: Making of Modern South Asia
- Course Description: Not listed
- Frequently Taught By: Shatam Ray
- Mesa 270: Special Topics MESA
- Course Descriptions: Special topics in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, at the 200 level; may be repeated when content varies.
- Topics Include: Women and Islam, The Roman Near East, Viewing Iran Through Its Cinema, Hindi Drama, Tebetan History, South Asian Popular Culture
- Frequently Taught By: Ruby Lal, Hossein Samei, Elliot McCarter, Tsepak Rigzin
- MESA 370: Special Topics—300 Level
- Course Description: Special topics in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, at the 300 level; may be repeated when content varies.
- Topics include: India Today: Politics/Economics/Innovation/ Sustainability, Political Economy of Middle East/North Africa, South Asian Politics Since 1945, Jews in Arab Land, Women in India, Economy, Nation and empire of India, Echoes of Arab Spring, Gandhi: Non-Violence and Freedom, Race &Caste: America& India, Media/Islam, Gandhi: Non-Violence, The Arab-Israeli Conflict, Islam in Europe
- Frequently Taught By: Holli Semetko, Oussama Cherribi, Marion Creekmore Jr, Gordon Newby, Ruby Lal, Navyug Gill, Velcheru Rao, Gyan Pandey, Marion Creekmore Jr, Kenneth Stein