Middle East Studies

Program Overview

UT faculty in MEST promote educational programs and research related to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including a Middle East Studies BA degree, a Middle East Studies minor, lectures, student and community events, and conferences. MEST faculty are affiliated with programs and departments across UT’s campus including the Howard H. Baker School for Public Policy and Public Affairs, the Marco Institute for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, the Departments of History, World Languages and Cultures, Music, Political Science, Religious Studies, and the Fern and Manfred Steinfeld Program in Jewish Studies. Our goal is to make UT a regional leader in the study of the MENA by supporting faculty research, undergraduate and graduate education, community outreach, and professional training in relevant areas.

Major Requirements

Minor Requirements

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Professor Matt Buehler
Chair of Middle East Studies and Associate Professor of Political Science
University of Tennessee
[email protected]

Why Study the Middle East?

The MEST program offers students interdisciplinary training in the history, cultures, literatures, politics, languages, and religions of the MENA region, preparing them for a wide range of careers related to this vital area of the world. Our faculty comes from diverse disciplines, including Political Science, History, Religious Studies, Literature, Jewish Studies, Classics and Archaeology, Arabic, Hebrew, and more. This diverse expertise provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex realities of the Middle East and North Africa.

Students in the MEST program will not only develop a nuanced perspective on contemporary issues but will also explore their deep historical roots. Many of our faculty members have designed and led study abroad programs in countries such as Jordan, Morocco, and Israel, enhancing the learning experience. Looking ahead, the MEST program plans to launch additional study abroad opportunities, further enriching UT students’ transformative experiences in the MENA region.

Careers

Students affiliated with the MEST program have pursued a diverse range of careers related to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Many have entered fields such as diplomacy, national security, foreign policy, cultural promotion, international business, journalism, refugee aid, and non-governmental organizations. Others are applying to Law School, Business School, or graduate programs to earn master’s or doctoral degrees in areas like Political Science, History, Religious Studies, and Arabic or Hebrew studies.

Often, students find that combining a MEST degree with a degree or minor in a traditional discipline makes their education more focused and meaningful. For instance, one student who earned both a general Political Science degree and a MEST degree developed expertise in international security issues specific to the MENA region.

Additionally, undergraduate and graduate students in the MEST program have received prestigious awards for Arabic language study, which have opened up further career and graduate opportunities. Notable recognitions include the National Security Education Program’s Boren Scholarships and Fellowships, the U.S. State Department’s Critical Language Scholarship, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA) fellowships.

Study Abroad

Complementary Minors

Students often discover that combining a MEST degree with a degree or minor in a traditional discipline enhances the focus and significance of their education. For example, one student who earned a general Political Science degree alongside a MEST degree developed expertise in international security issues specific to the MENA region. Similarly, other students pursuing a Religious Studies degree become specialists in Middle Eastern religious traditions by double-majoring or minoring in the MEST program.

The MEST program has also welcomed students from outside the College of Arts and Sciences who pursue a MEST double major or minor. For example, one student recently earned a degree in Finance and plans to work in Dubai or elsewhere in the Persian Gulf. In this case, the MEST degree enhances his cultural understanding and Arabic language skills, making him better equipped for success in that business environment.

The MEST program has also attracted students with degrees in Logistics or Computer Science who choose to pursue a MEST double major or minor due to their family ties to the MENA region. These students are eager to explore and deepen their understanding of their cultural identity and heritage, and often to improve their Arabic or Hebrew language skills.