Department of Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies

With its focus on the languages, literatures and cultures of the ancient Mediterranean (especially, though not exclusively, Greek and Roman) and modern Arabic- and Turkish-speaking worlds, this department provides instruction that is crucial to understanding where we are today and how we got here. Courses range from basic instruction in language (Arabic, ancient Greek, Latin, Turkish) and culture for all students in all programs, to advanced work preparatory to many rewarding careers, for example, in government, law, academia, communications, education, management and other fields. Given the emerging role of the Middle East in world affairs, study of its languages and cultures holds great practical benefit.

NOTE: Courses taken on campus for one or two credits cannot count as more than quarter- or half-courses, respectively, if approved for any major or minor in Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean studies.

A student may not major in more than one of these three programs in the Department: Ancient Mediterranean Studies BA, Latin BA, Greek and Latin BA.

Education Abroad in Arabic

Binghamton University-sponsored education-abroad opportunities are available for Arabic studies students in Ifrane, Morocco (al-Akhawayn University, where Binghamton has established an exchange program for fall and/or spring semesters as well as for the summer), where there is an intensive summer program in standard as well as Egyptian spoken Arabic.

There are other education-abroad opportunities for Arabic studies students. Students interested in education-abroad need to consult with the undergraduate director and Arabic studies faculty, especially for pre-approval of credit recognition and credit transfer.

Education Abroad in Ancient Mediterranean Studies

Binghamton University-sponsored education-abroad opportunities are available for Ancient Mediterranean Studies students in Rome, where there is a faculty-led program centered around Roman archaeology and art. Students interested in an education-abroad program or an archaeological field school need to consult with the departmental undergraduate director, as well as with other faculty in Ancient Mediterranean Studies, especially for pre-approval of credit recognition and credit transfer.

Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that this may impede their ability to study abroad. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the Office of International Education and Global Initiatives.

Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies Honors Program

The Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) administers the honors program in Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies offered by the Department. Honors work shall be open to those majoring in any one of the programs within the Department (Ancient Mediterranean Studies; Greek and Latin; Latin, Arabic Studies) and may focus on Greek and/or Latin language or literature, or on Greek, Roman, Arabic, and/or Mediterranean material culture. Honors work shall count toward the 40 credits required by the major. Theses produced by honors students can serve as stepping stones to further study, as writing samples for graduate applications, or as ends in themselves, evidence of special achievement in the major. Students interested in honors must consult with the DUS to determine eligibility, and eligible students must submit an application to the DUS.

Eligibility

To be eligible to earn honors, a major must have a GPA of 3.60 in the program, not counting courses taken Pass/Fail. These conditions must be met by a student’s penultimate semester.

Applying for Honors

Students who wish to commence their honors work in the fall should submit their application by the end of the second week of classes. The deadline for applications for honors in the spring will be January 31. Students should consult with a potential faculty advisor as they complete their application form, and they should have already agreed with their advisor and two readers on their thesis topic. Note that meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee the right to do honors work: applications will be reviewed by potential faculty supervisors, who will then decide which applicants will proceed to conduct honors work.

Thesis

Students writing an honors thesis are required to register for Senior Honors AMS/ARAB 498. In order to earn honors, the thesis must be judged worthy by the faculty supervisor and the two readers, one of whom must be a member of the department. The designation of honors in Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies is awarded to students who receive at least an A- in the Honors Thesis. For more information, students should refer to the Rules Governing the Preparation of Undergraduate Honors Theses, available from the DUS.