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The Center for Middle East Studies offers political expertise, curricular and co-curricular programs with the Institute for Comparative and Regional Studies (ICRS). It supports the study and understanding of the societies, political systems, and international relations of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The CMES organizes conferences, community learning, courses on the Middle East, student exchange programs, and a student-led club. Its mission of advancing understanding of the Middle East goes beyond the University to include scholars, policy-makers, and the interested public in Denver and throughout the Rocky Mountain region. A specific focus of the Center's work is the relationship between human rights and geopolitics in the Middle East and North Africa.

People

Micheline Ishay

Professor
Director, Center for Middle East Studies
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Ahmed Mohamed Abdrabou

Teaching Associate Professor
Associate Director, Center for Middle East Studies
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Core Faculty

David Goldfischer

Tamra Pearson d'Estrée

Professor
Degree Director, Global Environmental Sustainability
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Related Faculty

Ambassador (Ret.) Gary Grappo

Distinguished Fellow, University of Denver
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Dr. Aaron Pilkington

Senior Air Force Analyst specializing in Middle East politics and security
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Adam Rovner

Professor of English and Jewish Literature and serves as Director of the Center for Judaic Studies, University of Denver
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Dr. Jonathan Sciarcon

Associate Professor of History and Judaic Studies; Chair, History, University of Denver
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AmirReza (Reza) Mehraeen

PhD Candidate in International Studies and Comparative Politics, University of Denver
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LIEBICH FAMILY FUND FOR MIDDLE EAST INTERNSHIP SUPPORT

Thanks to Don and Marcia Liebich's dedication to making a positive impact and improving their community and the world, a fund has been established to support Korbel MA student internships in the Middle East and North Africa.

Funding will go to students with an un- or under-funded internship or educational experience based in the region, and awards go up to $2,500.

For questions, please e-mail: [email protected]

MACKENZIE AND WASSON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS

Thanks to the MacKenzie and Wasson endowed scholarship funds, CMES offers two competitive scholarships annually for continuing graduate students at Korbel with a strong interest in issues related to Israel and Palestine. Korbel admissions will email all continuing students during the summer with more information, including an essay prompt.

GRADUATE INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP GRANT

As part of the RenewDU initiative, the Office of Graduate Education has funding available for Graduate International Internship Grants (GIG). These competitive grants are available to graduate students at the University of Denver who meet certain application criteria.

Read more.

Course Number & SubjectCourse NameCollege    
Graduate Courses      
INTS 4337Current Issues in the Middle EastKorbel    
INTS 4620Middle East PoliticsKorbel    
INTS 4722U.S. Policy in the Middle EastKorbel    
INTS 4649Human Rights and Security in the Middle EastKorbel    
       
Undergraduate Courses      
INTS 2430History of the Middle EastKorbel    
INTS 2725Comparative Politics of the Middle EastKorbel    
INTS 3020Introduction to Middle East and Islamic PoliticsKorbel    

 

Additional DU departments, courses, and opportunities related to the Middle East:

DU Department of Religious Studies: Across these programs, students explore religious traditions as avenues into contemporary issues. Understanding religious identities, practices and beliefs deepens our understanding of cultures, politics, economics and relations with one another — around the world and in our local communities.

DU Middle East Minor: This interdisciplinary undergraduate minor provides students with an in-depth and substantive exposure to the politics, society and religions of the Middle East through a variety of humanities and social sciences approaches, and through study of at least one major regional language. The minor helps DU undergraduates pursuing any major to develop deeper and more nuanced understandings of the Middle East.

Below you will find links to some of the best scholarly journals published on subjects relating to the history, politics and culture of the Middle East and broader Islamic world. 

Note: Access to journal articles is available only when using the DU network. Library permissions will not be granted otherwise.

MIDDLE EAST POLITICS & POLICY

Middle East Policy
A journal dedicated to the study and analysis of contemporary Middle Eastern politics with a heavy emphasis on its relation to U.S. foreign policy. Strong current events focus.

The Middle East Journal
A journal focused on political and economic development in the Middle East and the implications for Western policy. Strong current events focused.

Middle East Research & Information Project (MERIP)
Policy and current event analysis geared towards the media and general public. Focused on non-specialist consumption and generating public awareness.

MIDDLE EAST HISTORY

British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies
Journal of the British Society of Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES). Strong emphasis on modern cultural, religious, intellectual, and political history.

International Journal of Middle East Studies
The journal of the Middle East Studies Association (MESA). Arguably the most prominent journal in the field. Heavy emphasis on cultural, religious, intellectual, and political history from the modern period.

Journal of North African Studies
The journal of the American Institute of Maghrib Studies. Primarily focused on the modern history of North Africa, frequently publishes pre-modern historical research.

Middle East Critique
Critical examination of contemporary Middle Eastern political, economic, social, and cultural history.

Middle Eastern Studies
Journal of modern historical research with an emphasis on political, economic, and military history.

AREA STUDIES

Arab Studies Journal
Journal focusing on the modern histories of Arab societies.

Contemporary Arab Affairs
Focused on contemporary social, economic, and political/policy affairs within the Arab world.

Iranian Studies
Journal focused on the modern history of the Persianate world (Iran, Central Asia, Northern India, and the Caucuses), with particular emphasis on Iranian society and politics.

Israel Affairs
Focused primarily on contemporary Israeli politics and policy

Turkish Studies
Focused on post-Ottoman Turkish political, social, and economic history, in addition to contemporary policy debates.

Journal and News Articles

The first step for any student interested in working overseas or domestically is to identify suitable employers. To help start that process, CMES has compiled an extensive--but by no means comprehensive--list of organizations that offer competitive internships, both throughout the academic year and in the summer. We hope you find it useful.

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NGO’S AND NON-PROFITS
MIDDLE EAST INTERNSHIPS IN WASHINGTON, DC

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