<p>Hi, I'm planning on applying to Tulane EA this year, and am very interested in Arabic and the Middle East. I was wondering if any of you guys knew about the Middle Eastern Studies program at Tulane. I was looking through the website and I noticed two Arabic language courses, but that seemed to be the extent of the program. Obviously I am not completely attached to this major, but it would certainly supplement my interest in Tulane, because it seems like such an amazing school in every other aspect. </p>
<p>So if y'all could give me any feedback that would be AMAZING!!!! :)
Thanks guys!!!</p>
<p>The Arabic course listing I saw included Arabic I and Arabic III. I believe these are the course offerings for the fall semester. I assume Arabic II and Arabic IV will be offered in the spring semester. So, it appears that Tulane offers 2 years of Arabic. A student probably could get in a third year of Arabic via the study abroad program. Compared to various other universities, this is not the strongest Arabic program.</p>
<p>You are right, there is no current program in this area at Tulane. Interestingly, I just had coffee on Saturday with the Senior Director of of Development for Liberal Arts at Tulane, and this exact topic came up. He specifically told me that a comprehensive Middle Eastern Studies program is on the very short list as a primary goal. They already have a strong Jewish Studies program, and recognize the need to become strong in the other areas.</p>
<p>As I see it, there are two ways to look at this. Neither is right or wrong, it is just a matter of what you find interesting and/or important for yourself. The first is to choose to pursue a school that already has a strong program, therefore virtually assuring yourself of a complete range of courses to take and a degree in this area. The second is to talk with Carole Haber, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Tulane. Dean Haber would be very happy to give you a current accounting of where these plans stand, since I didn’t get into that kind of detail during my meeting. If it looks like, by the time you get to Tulane, that there would be an opportunity to be involved in these plans, that could be pretty interesting for you. It doesn’t guarantee there will be all the courses you want or an official major in this area in time for you and graduation, but it still could provide a great experience while you take the Arabic offered along with various courses in Middle Eastern history and the like, and get a degree in history or sociology or some other area where you can pursue independent studies in the area of Middle Eastern life.</p>
<p>In addition, Loyola University right next door to Tulane offers a variety of classes in Middle Eastern history and culture under their “Middle Eastern Peace” program of study. The don’t offer any additional Arabic language courses though. There is an agreement between Loyola and Tulane that if one school offers a course the other doesn’t, students can cross register.</p>
<p>Just to give you an example of what is possible (and the reason this even came up in the discussion on Saturday), my D was in a similar position to you a couple of years ago except substitute Asian and Chinese for Middle Eastern and Arabic. She researched it, found out that Tulane had various grants for hiring new faculty in this area and had firm plans to create a China Studies major in time for her to get a degree in it, and has since received a very nice grant from the Chinese government to create an institute for interdisciplinary studies regarding Chinese culture. Exciting times to be an undergrad in this area at Tulane. I might be worth seeing of something similar is happening in the world of Middle Eastern Studies. I encourage you to send Dean Haber and e-mail so she knows what you would like to discuss. Either it can be handled by e-mail, or the two of you can set up a time to talk, or she might direct you to someone that is primarily focused on making this major happen. Tulane is all about accessability.</p>
<p>Thank you so much fallchemist and zapfino, you were both really helpful, I’m going to e-mail the Dean right now. 
This is exactly what I wanted to know.</p>
<p>No problem. Hey, are you a Rhode Islander??</p>