The Department of Near Eastern Studies offers instruction in the languages, literatures, histories, cultures and religions of the ancient Near East and the medieval and modern Middle East. The department’s language offerings provide the foundation for the academic study of the literatures, histories, cultures and religions of the region. The ancient language offerings include Sumerian, Egyptian, Akkadian, Hittite, Ugaritic, Avestan, Aramaic, and Classical Hebrew. The medieval and modern language offerings include Armenian, Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Turkish, and Uzbek.

The division of Hebrew and Jewish Cultural Studies (HJCS) offers instruction at the introductory to the advanced level in Hebrew language, literature and culture. Learning the language enables students to engage in the study of historical, literary and religious texts, as well as study the politics, folklore, anthropology of the culture, using texts and various media, including film. The study of Classical and Modern Hebrew texts provides students with an integrated view of the development of Hebrew and Jewish literature and culture.

Why Study Hebrew? People study Hebrew for different reasons. For some, it is the desire to be able to read the Hebrew Bible in the original language; for others, who are interested in Israel and wish to understand its people, culture and politics, Hebrew is necessary. Some people wish to use Hebrew as a means of communication. For others, the goal is the ability to read Hebrew literature, scholarship, newspapers or electronic media. No matter what your goal is, we offer a variety of courses and learning opportunities.