Bright blue alleyway lined with potted plants

Middle East Studies

What is Middle East Studies?

Learn more about the history of Middle Eastern Studies at Illinois.

Meet our faculty

Browse and connect with our award-winning faculty members.

Browse our courses

Courses in South Asian and Middle Eastern languages and area studies are open to all students, regardless of major or discipline of study.

See all courses

Middle East Studies Events

View all events

Middle East Studies News

Congratulations to CSAMES Director Dr. Eric Calderwood for being awarded the 2026 Laura Shannon Prize in Contemporary European Studies for his book “On Earth or in Poems: The Many Lives of al-Andalus.” The prize is awarded to a work that transcends focus

Congratulations to CSAMES Director Dr. ...

UIUC Delegation Awarded Outstanding Delegation At Regional Model Arab League Competition 2025

Model Arab League 2025 Success! We are thrilled to share that the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign delegation had an outstanding performance at the Model Arab League 2025, proudly funded by CSAMES! Representing Oman, our dedicated students earned prestigious awards:...

Dr. Waïl S. Hassan elected as vice president of the Modern Language Association

We are delighted to congratulate CSAMES affiliate and former CSAMES Director Waïl S. Hassan on his recent...