BA Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures at University of California, Berkeley

The Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures (MELC) major is the study of the languages, literature, history, and cultures of the Middle East from antiquity to modern times. MELC offers language programs in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish, and in the ancient languages of Egyptian, Sumerian, Akkadian, and Aramaic. Students can explore the interconnected worlds of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and their neighbors, as well as the modern literature and diverse cultures of the modern Middle East.

Faculty: College of Letters & Science  |  Department: Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures  |  Duration: 4 years  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Berkeley, CA, United States

What you will study

Major requirements are organised as: Middle Eastern Worlds: Ancient Worlds (Lower Division Core, Ancient Middle Eastern Worlds); Middle Eastern Worlds: Modern Worlds (Core, Modern Middle Eastern Worlds); Middle Eastern Languages and Literature: Arabic (Prerequisite: Elementary Arabic, Prerequisite: Intermediate Arabic, Lower Division: Introduction to the Middle East, Language, Language & Literature, Culture & History); Middle Eastern Languages and Literature: Hebrew (Prerequisites: Hebrew, Language, Language & Literature, Culture & History); Middle Eastern Languages and Literature: Persian (Prerequisites: Elementary Persian, Prerequisites: Intermediate Persian, Lower Division: Introduction to the Middle East, Language, Language & Literature, Culture & History).

Career pathways

Graduates enter career areas including Business, Communications, Education, Arts & Entertainment, Law & Public Policy, Nonprofit & Community Development, International, Government.

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