{"id":4,"date":"2022-11-02T18:09:55","date_gmt":"2022-11-02T18:09:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/?page_id=4"},"modified":"2026-04-03T13:43:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T20:43:07","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--intro-text align-center\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--intro-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Welcome\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n  \n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>The Department of Middle East Studies (MDES) is committed to the teaching and study of the languages, cultures, peoples, and societies throughout the Middle East region, with an emphasis on sustainability and globalization. MDES is home to an interdisciplinary major and minor in Middle East Studies, a minor in Iranian Studies, and a minor in Arabic. The department organizes lively and exciting lectures, colloquia, conferences, and film series on a broad range of topics ranging from politics and economics to history and the arts. Explore our programs below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n        \n          \n          \n  \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--editorial-cards \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--editorial-cards\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          About Us\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <div class=\"video-embed\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CF48iWejhwY?si=1PnWdCX_64ELwQgI\" title=\"Middle East Studies Program at USC Dornsife\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"cards-container\">\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n          \n                                      \n                \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n        <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/the-major\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Read more about Major\">\n  \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/Istanbul_cafe-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/Istanbul_cafe-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 23vw, (min-width:768px) 39vw, 83vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n      <\/a>\n  \n\n<\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"text-container\">\n            \n                            <h3>\n                                      <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/the-major\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                  \n                    Major\n\n                                      <\/a>\n                                  <\/h3>\n            \n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>We offer an interdisciplinary degree that combines rigorous coursework, close mentorship with faculty, and the scholarly latitude to research and learn about the pressing problems of globalization and environmentalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n          \n                                      \n                \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n        <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/middle-east-studies\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Read more about Minors\">\n  \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/heidi-kaden-NncAbldgViA-unsplash-1-1024x682-1-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/heidi-kaden-NncAbldgViA-unsplash-1-1024x682-1-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 23vw, (min-width:768px) 39vw, 83vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n      <\/a>\n  \n\n<\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"text-container\">\n            \n                            <h3>\n                                      <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/middle-east-studies\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                  \n                    Minors\n\n                                      <\/a>\n                                  <\/h3>\n            \n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Students can choose from three distinct minors to expand their breadth of knowledge on the peoples, cultures, and history of the region: Middle East Studies, Arabic, and Iranian Studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n          \n                                      \n                \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n        <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/languages\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Read more about Languages\">\n  \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/Azadi-tower-768x432.png\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/Azadi-tower-1280x720.png 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/Azadi-tower-768x432.png 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 23vw, (min-width:768px) 39vw, 83vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n      <\/a>\n  \n\n<\/div>\n          \n          <div class=\"text-container\">\n            \n                            <h3>\n                                      <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/languages\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n                  \n                    Languages\n\n                                      <\/a>\n                                  <\/h3>\n            \n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Our faculty teach Arabic and Persian, from beginning to advanced levels, in our top-ranked language training programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n\n\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--full-width-cta \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--full-width-cta\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n  \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Your Major &amp; Minor\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>We offer 1 major, 3 minors, and 3 languages<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n    \n      <div class=\"links-container\">\n        \n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/academics\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Programs of Study\"  \n>\n    Programs of Study \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#FC0\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--featured-block \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--featured-block\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"text-image-container\">\n    <div class=\"text-container\">\n\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Our department is the first of its kind in the nation.\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Our faculty\u2019s research and teaching covers the peoples, cultures, politics and history of the MENA region. Specifically, we conduct teaching and pursue scholarship with a keen focus on topics related to sustainability and globalization.<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Learn how we have taken a new approach with a focus on the impact of the environment on social change in the MENA region.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/2903\/middle-east-studies-focuses-on-sustainability\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about See Story Here\"  \n>\n    See Story Here \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n          <\/div>\n\n          <div class=\"image-container\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/DSCF1494-1-768x768.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/DSCF1494-1-1280x1280.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/DSCF1494-1-768x768.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 50vw, (min-width:768px) 100vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n            \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--accordions \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--accordions\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          PROGRAM INFORMATION\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n      \n      \n    <\/div>\n  \n      <ul>\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-1-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-controls=\"section-1-1-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Academic advisor<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-1-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-1-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>Isaura Pena is MDES&#8217;s advisor. If you have any questions related to your academic plan and pursuits, please reach her at <a href=\"mailto:Isaurape@usc.edu\">Isaurape@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-2-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-controls=\"section-1-2-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Interested in a Minor?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-2-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-2-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>You can earn a minor in <strong>Middle East Studies<\/strong> while completing your <strong>G.E. requirements<\/strong>! Contact us at <a href=\"mailto:MDES@usc.edu\">MDES@usc.edu<\/a> if you are interested.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1961\" src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-9.25.32-AM-300x194.png\" alt=\"minor\" width=\"445\" height=\"288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-9.25.32-AM-300x194.png 300w, https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-9.25.32-AM-1024x663.png 1024w, https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-9.25.32-AM-768x497.png 768w, https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-9.25.32-AM-1536x994.png 1536w, https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-17-at-9.25.32-AM.png 1644w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-3-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-controls=\"section-1-3-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">D-Clearance<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-3-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-3-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>To receive\u00a0<strong>D-Clearance<\/strong> on any of our courses, please find course-specific information under &#8220;Middle East Studies&#8221; under the Social Sciences below.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"JEASqEDQwD\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/dash\/d-clearance-info\/\">Requesting D-Clearance at USC Dornsife<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Requesting D-Clearance at USC Dornsife&#8221; &#8212; Academic Service Hubs\" src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/dash\/d-clearance-info\/embed\/#?secret=fb52LF3G8l#?secret=JEASqEDQwD\" data-secret=\"JEASqEDQwD\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-4-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-controls=\"section-1-4-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Foreign language placement exams<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-4-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-4-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <div class=\"col-sub-section\">\n<div class=\"html-content\">\n<p>The Language Center offers placement exams every semester. Please book your <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/languages\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">appointment here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t miss out on learning Arabic or Persian in our top-ranked programs!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-sub-section\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-5-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-controls=\"section-1-5-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Study Abroad: 2026-2027<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-5-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-5-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>Each year, students travel to the following countries below, while earning units!<\/p>\n<p>Instructions to apply are <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/overseas-studies-events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">found here<\/a>. See the 3 locations below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/studenttravelabroad.usc.edu\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&amp;id=10074\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amman, Jordan (AMIDEAST)<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/studenttravelabroad.usc.edu\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&amp;id=10074\"><br \/>\n<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/studenttravelabroad.usc.edu\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&amp;id=10073\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amman, Jordan, (CIEE)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/studenttravelabroad.usc.edu\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&amp;id=10076\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rabat, Morocco (AMIDEAST)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Contact Peter Hilton for more information:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/philton@usc.edu\">philton@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-6-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-controls=\"section-1-6-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Current Course Offerings<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-6-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-6-9Lr6vv2Xa7\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>Click below for more information about the department&#8217;s Spring &#8217;26 course offerings:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/classes.usc.edu\/term\/20261\/catalogue\/search?searchphrase=MDES\">Middle East Studies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/classes.usc.edu\/term\/20261\/catalogue\/search?searchphrase=ARAB\">Arabic<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/classes.usc.edu\/term\/20261\/catalogue\/search?searchphrase=IRAN\">Persian<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n          <\/ul>\n  \n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--full-width-image-and-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--full-width-image-and-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"image-container\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/123123-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/123123-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/123123-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2022\/12\/123123-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n  <div class=\"text-container\">\n\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--eyebrow\">\n\n    \n  <span>SPOTLIGHT<\/span>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Congratulations!\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Our very own students, Anthony Khoury and Faatima Abdul-Aziz, won the Best Acting awards for their short film, &#8220;Empty,&#8221; at USC&#8217;s 2022 Multilingual Student Film Festival hosted by the Center for Languages and Cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n          <div class=\"links-container\">\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dailytrojan.com\/2022\/11\/21\/uscs-first-multilingual-film-festival\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about See Story Here\"  \n>\n    See Story Here \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        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fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        \n      <\/div>\n    \n    \n      <div class=\"contacts-container\">\n\n        \n                      <div class=\"contact-card\">\n\n                              <h3>Department Office<\/h3>\n              \n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>Address<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>3501 Trousdale Parkway, Taper Hall 256<\/p>\n<p>University of Southern California<\/p>\n<p>Los Angeles, CA 90089<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:MDES@usc.edu\">MDES@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Chair and Director of Undergraduate Studies<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Professor Ramzi Rouighi<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"mailto:Rouighi@usc.edu\">Rouighi@usc.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n              \n              \n              \n            <\/div>\n                    \n                      <div class=\"contact-card\">\n\n                              <h3>Social Media<\/h3>\n              \n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>Instagram<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/usc_mdes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/usc_mdes\/\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/USCMDES\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/USCMDES<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>YouTube<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@USCMiddleEastStudies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@USCMiddleEastStudies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n              \n              \n              \n            <\/div>\n                    \n                      <div class=\"contact-card\">\n\n                              <h3>Stay Connected<\/h3>\n              \n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAGpl8Z_T3Y\/g53Tw8KC3HJeM3-RjuROOQ\/view?utm_content=DAGpl8Z_T3Y&amp;utm_campaign=designshare&amp;utm_medium=link2&amp;utm_source=uniquelinks&amp;utlId=h5158056278\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read our End-of-the-Year newsletter!<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Get the latest updates from our department about upcoming events, lectures, and more happenings: <a href=\"https:\/\/signup.e2ma.net\/signup\/46978\/27934\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SIGN UP HERE<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-list\">\n<div class=\"article cf\">\n<div class=\"html-content\">\n<p>If you would like to give a gift or make a pledge to USC on behalf of the Department of Middle East Studies, please visit this secure\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/giveto.usc.edu\/?fundid=9218187600,9218187600&amp;appealcode=WDORN0001&amp;buttongen=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n              \n              \n              \n            <\/div>\n                    \n      <\/div>\n\n        \n     \n    \n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n        \n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--social-and-media-promo \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--social-and-media-promo\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"header-container\">\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Connect with us on social media!\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--social-links \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--social-links\"\n    \n      >\n\n      \n      \n\n    <ul class=\"social-media-links--platforms platforms\" aria-label=\"Follow us on social media\">\n              \n   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class=\"social-container\">\n    \n    \n  <\/div>\n\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":218,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Home - Department of Middle East Studies<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mdes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Home - Department of Middle East Studies\" \/>\n<meta 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