The University of Michigan offers a major and minor in Middle East Studies with a focus in Armenian Studies through the Department of Middle East Studies (MES). MES teaches the diverse histories, religions, languages, and literatures that originated in a vast region of the world extending from the Nile to the Oxus River, and from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean.
The major in Middle East Studies ensures that students form a linguistic and cultural foundation while also encountering higher-level concepts and critical conversations in the humanities. Students interested in declaring a major in Armenian Studies should plan to meet with an advisor to create a comprehensive plan of study.
Students are required to select a submajor, which in this case is Armenian Studies, and one Discipline (Cultural Studies; History; Linguistics; Literature; Religion; Visual Culture; or propose their own disciplinary focus after consulting with an advisor).
The minor in Middle East Studies provides students with the opportunity of gaining fundamental knowledge of Middle East cultures and peoples through courses focused on an area (e.g. Arabic Studies, Armenian Studies, Biblical Studies, Egyptology, Hebrew and Judaic Studies, Iranian Studies, Mesopotamian Studies, or Turkish Studies) or a discipline (e.g. Middle East literature, visual culture, history, religion, linguistics, and cultural studies) taught within the Department of Middle East Studies.
Students have the option of using intermediate-level and above language courses towards program requirements, as well as satisfying the MES language requirements through the Western Armenian language track program in MES. If you are taking or have taken Armenian language courses at U-M, you may already be well on your way to declaring a minor or major in MES!
Please contact the Department of Middle East Studies for more information.
