Getting Started

College: HFA

Judaic and Near Eastern Studies Department

Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and choosing appropriate courses. More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses. Please refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students are available at https://www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

HISTORY 130 and 131
First year of a Middle Eastern Language. Students may choose from among several Middle Eastern languages taught in the Five Colleges including Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish.

How to Declare/ Change into the Major

For current & admitted students: This major is unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major. Unrestricted majors may still have an entry process such as meeting with an advisor or attending an informational meeting.

It is recommended that students start planning for the major by the sophomore year. The language requirement may be waived for students who can prove intermediate level proficiency. See Professor Anne Broadbridge, the Director of the Middle Eastern Studies Program, listed below.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # of credits required: 55

The major in Middle Eastern Studies requires at least a C- grade in courses taken towards the major.
No course with a Pass grade can be accepted for major credit.
Refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
Yes – Minors in Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic are available! Refer to the Minor page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

For further information, contact:
Professor Anne Broadbridge, Director of the Middle Eastern Studies Program
623 Herter Hall
(413) 545-6777

Department email: jne@judnea.umass.edu

Rachel Diana, Office Manager
744 Herter Hall
(413) 545-2550

Department email: jne@judnea.umass.edu