Overview

The Department of Near Eastern Studies offers a wide variety of undergraduate classes focused on the languages, histories, and cultures of the Near East. It provides opportunities for those who plan to major in other disciplines to simultaneously obtain proficiency in a language of the Near East (Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, and Persian) and to deepen their knowledge of the history, politics, literature, religion, and culture of the premodern and modern Near East.

Goals for Student Learning

The main goal of the Near Eastern Languages minor is to acquire deep proficiency in one of the languages of the Near East. First, a student must complete at least four courses (= two years) of either Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, or Persian language at the intermediate level and above. After completing these courses, students will have the ability to read, write, listen, and speak in their language of choice; further, they will be introduced through language study to the literature, film, and culture of the region. Additional coursework in Near Eastern Studies, whether it be further language study or content coursework is required in order to deepen the student's knowledge of the region whose language they study.

Admission to the Program

The Minor in Near Eastern Languages is open to undergraduates in all departments. Students interested in earning a minor are encouraged to apply no earlier than the spring of their sophomore year and no later than the spring of their junior year. Final application materials confirming the completion of the minor requirements should be filed with the Department of Near Eastern Studies office by the deadline of one week before Dean's Date in the final semester of senior year, at the latest.

Program of Study

A student majoring in a department other than Near Eastern Studies may earn a Minor in Near Eastern Languages by completing five courses, including at least four courses in a single Near Eastern language (Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, or Persian) taken at the intermediate level (= second- year, course numbers 105–107) or above; as well as a fifth Near Eastern Studies course (either an additional language class or a content class listed or cross-listed in Near Eastern Studies). Only in exceptional cases approved by the NES Director of Undergraduate Studies will a class not listed in NES be counted toward the fifth course requirement. Courses taken on a P/D/F basis will not be counted toward the minor.

Senior Departmental Examination (Translation)

The Near Eastern Languages minor requires the completion of a translation to English of a text chosen by the department.  The text will be a short passage of modern prose, fiction or nonfiction, and students will be given 60 minutes to produce a translation.  The use of computers or electronic devices will not be permitted for this translation, but appropriate paper dictionaries will be provided.  Students unfamiliar with using paper dictionaries should contact their language-program directors, who can teach them how to use such resources.  Translations will be graded pass/fail and a passing grade will be required to earn the minor.

Study Abroad

Courses taken abroad in summer language programs or over the course of a semester or year at other institutions may count toward minor requirements. For more information on Study Abroad programs, please contact the language teachers of the relevant languages in the Department of Near Eastern Studies. Preapproval for any non-Princeton program coursework must be obtained from the NES Director of Undergraduate Studies.