What is Middle Eastern Studies?

Middle Eastern Studies (MES) promotes interdisciplinary scholarship on the Middle East, North Africa, and the greater Islamic world. Its scope includes both ancient and contemporary populations, and recent scholarship has emphasized the transnational and transregional forces at play in shaping the region, both past and present.  Scholars working in Middle Eastern Studies, including those at Mississippi State, draw on a range of disciplinary theories and methodologies from fields such as history, anthropology and archaeology, political science, and arts & architecture. 

Middle Eastern Studies at MSU 

The Department of Anthropology and Middle Eastern Cultures (AMEC) serves as the home department for Middle Eastern Studies at MSU. AMEC faculty work across the globe, including in the Middle East and Mediterranean region, and focus on both ancient and contemporary human communities. AMEC is located in the Cobb Institute of Archaeology, whose Lois Dowdle Cobb Museum of Archaeology houses an extensive collection of ancient artifacts from the Near East and Southeastern U.S. AMEC and the Cobb Institute have a particularly strong presence in Near Eastern and Mediterranean archaeology, with ongoing excavations in Israel, Albania, Cyprus, and Greece.

AMEC and the Middle Eastern Studies minor are part of MSU's College of Arts and Sciences. The College provides the scaffolding and support for MSU's interdisciplinary Middle Eastern Studies program and is committed to providing opportunities for MSU students to gain international experience, be it through coursework, research, or study abroad. 

Mississippi State University is growing its connections to the Middle East through a range of new initiatives, including a partnership with Morocco's Université Internationale de Rabat, new study abroad opportunities, new course offerings, and the Middle Eastern Studies minor. Be on the lookout for events, talks, and research opportunities as our MES program continues to grow.

What can I do with a Minor in Middle Eastern Studies?

As the Middle East continues to be a region of critical global importance, gaining an understanding of the cultures, politics, religions, and languages of this area is increasingly important. Mississippi State's MES minor provides an interdisciplinary background in Middle Eastern Studies that benefits a range of career paths in both the public and private sectors. Many students with training in Middle Eastern Studies go on to careers in non-governmental organizations, international business, governmental work, and consulting. Having an area studies focus as an undergraduate is also helpful for those pursuing postgraduate (MA and PhD) work.

Contact Information

For information about Middle Eastern Studies at MSU, contact Dr. Jimmy Hardin at jimmy.hardin@msstate.edu.