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The Middle East and its peoples occupy a position at the center of world events and as such will continue to preoccupy the United States in every sphere of public life. By offering the very best linguistic training and historical and cultural immersion for students, Cornell University provides future leaders in business, education, government, and non-governmental organizations with training and insight to lead the United States in negotiating a positive future with and for the peoples of the Middle East.

Languages and Cultures

At Cornell language study has always served as an essential foundation and gateway to understanding and appreciating the history, culture, religion, and politics of the Middle East. The Department of Near Eastern Studies—an institutional member of Center for Arabic Study Abroad, the Middle East Studies Association, the American Association of Teachers of Arabic, and the American Institute of Iranian Studies—offers instruction in modern Arabic, Hebrew Persian, and Turkish. These courses of study serve as gateways to the understanding and appreciation of the cultural legacy, history, and religions of the region and the way in which these inform the political economy of the contemporary Middle East. Virtually alone among its peer institutions, Cornell has long endeavored to balance instruction in Arabic and Hebrew and in Jewish and Islamic Studies with the study of Christianity in the Middle East. At Cornell the intersection and dialogue between the civilizations represented by the languages of the Middle East form the core of both curriculum and faculty research.

Public Programs

The Department of Near Eastern Studies works closely with the Mario Einaudi Center’s Institute for European Studies and the Peace Studies Program, with Cornell Cinema, the Johnson Museum, the departments of Government and History of Art and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to bring distinguished visitors to campus. These have included Bartels Fellows (former) Ambassador Dennis Ross, (former) Palestinian spokesperson Hanan Ashrawi, and (former) Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Itamar Rabinovitch and occasional visitors such as Suleiman Demirel, former President of Turkey and Kaplan Distinguished Public Service Fellow, and Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi.

Travel Abroad

Through the Cornell Abroad Program, the university regularly sends undergraduates and graduate students to Arabic and Hebrew language programs in Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen, Egypt, and Israel for additional advanced training. While studying abroad, Cornell students become ambassadors for the university and forge stronger and more positive cultural, political, and economic ties with people in the Middle East.

Intercultural Understanding

On campus, faculty and students are involved in a wide variety of Middle East peace-related activities. The Department of Near Eastern Studies provides faculty advisors for Cornell Hillel, the Muslim Educational and Cultural Association, the Arab Students Association, the Israeli Students Organization, and the Iranian Students Organization. It also works on programs with the Turkish Students Association, the Armenian Students Association, and the Pakistani Students Association. It is also a principal sponsor of the award winning Jewish-Arab-Muslim Students dialogue group.

Cornell University in the Middle East

Cornell is uniquely equipped to be a national and international leader in utilizing education to foster a better future for the Middle East. The University established the first American medical school campus in the Middle East with the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. Through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Cornell is a partner in the Bridging the Rift Initiative in the Jordan River Valley that will bring together Israeli, Palestinian, and Jordanian graduate students to pursue ecological studies.

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Courses

Cornell's Adult University (CAU)
Unit: School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions
Audience: Cornell Alumni

Cornell's Adult University (CAU), which, in addition to its on-campus summer programs, offers educational trips around the globe during the four seasons of the year. In this manner Cornellians and friends of the University not only deepen their knowledge and understanding of world cultures, but also serve as ambassadors for the University. Recent study-tour destinations have included Russia, India, East Asia, Tanzania, New Zealand, Peru, and the Galapagos. The subject of numerous articles over the years, CAU is regularly highlighted in Arthur Frommer’s print and online travel guides.

Summer off-campus courses in Qatar
Unit: School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions
Audience: Current Cornell Student, Cornell Faculty/Staff, Prospective International Student

In partnership with the Weill Cornell Medical College—Qatar, the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions provides academic and administrative services to the pre-medical component of the program. In addition to assistance with curriculum planning and other matters, the School helps to recruit and appoint qualified faculty members to teach Cornell undergraduate courses in Doha. The School also registers undergraduate students for courses in Doha and for their summer studies in Ithaca.

Library Resources

Middle East and Islamic Studies Collection
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences
Audience: Current Cornell Student

The Collection includes materials published both in the Middle East and in Western Europe and the United States about the Middle East and Islam, including over 40,000 books, serials, government documents, and audiovisual materials, housed mainly in Olin Library.

Outreach

Cornell Educational Resources in International Studies
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences
Audience: Current Cornell Student, Cornell Faculty/Staff, Cornell Alumni, International Visitors/Scholars, Prospective International Student

The Cornell Einaudi Center for International Studies in partnership with Area Programs is committed to extending its resources to the wider community. Outreach programs in International Studies offer post-secondary conferences, professional development opportunities for teachers, public programming, business workshops, speakers bureaus, and much more.

Programs, Centers, and Institutes

Projects and Initiatives

Weill Medical College in Qatar
Unit: Weill Medical College

Weill Cornell in Qatar is the third campus of Cornell University, and the first American medical school ever set up overseas. Established through a partnership between Cornell and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, WCMC-Q shares the triple mission of Weill Cornell Medical College in New York: education, research, and patient care.

Study Abroad

Cornell Abroad in the Middle East
Audience: Current Cornell Student

Cornell students regularly study in several middle eastern countries improving their knowledge of Arabic, Hebrew, and issues affecting the region. With permission from their faculty advisor and college, students can study at the program of their choice. Students must sign an additional waiver to study in countries where there is a travel warning issued by the U.S. State Department. The Cornell Abroad website maintains links to many programs, and walk-in advising is available every day from 1:30-3pm at 300 Caldwell Hall.