South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

Director: Tarik Ahmed Elseewi, Film and Media Studies

Krista Gulbransen, Art History

Libby Miller, Art History

Lauren E. Osborne, Religion

Jonathan S. Walters, Religion

About the Major

The South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (SAME) major cultivates understanding of South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures and their place in the world through an integrated, multidisciplinary course of study. Students will attain broad familiarity with both regions and more focused understanding of one of them. The major also exposes students to a variety of disciplinary perspectives and approaches. Study abroad and/or language study is strongly encouraged when available. Guidance will be provided by an advisor chosen from among the faculty who regularly offer South Asia and Middle East-related courses.

Learning Goals

Students graduating with a major in South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies will demonstrate:

• Major-Specific Areas of Knowledge
  • Depth of knowledge of some South Asian or Middle Eastern cultures.
  • Knowledge of connections between regions of South Asia and the Middle East.
  • Academic knowledge of South Asia or the Middle East that spans more than one disciplinary perspective.
• Critical Thinking
  • Develop skills of critical analysis that are broadly transferrable.
  • Analyze issues with a variety of tools and approaches from a range of disciplines.
• Research Experience
  • Conduct academic inquiry on a research question that demonstrates substantial knowledge of a South Asian and/or Middle Eastern area in consultation with program faculty.
  • Ability to orally discuss, defend, and articulate the greater significance of one’s own academic work to broader issues in relation to the regions of South Asia and the Middle East.