Welcome to the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilization RSS Feed

New Lecturer in our Arabic and Islamic Studies Program

We welcome Adil Ait Hamd as lecturer in Arabic. Adil brings to NELC a great deal of teaching and pedagogical experience in Arabic language learning. In Autumn 2009, Adil will be teaching Current Debates in the Arab World (in Arabic). This course is designed for students of Arabic to engage in critical discussions around the dominant issues confronting the Arab world today. The course will involve students in both formal and colloquial conversational Arabic � in debates that will bring students to a closer understanding of Arab societies as they face the challenges of contemporary globalism. This is a valuable opportunity for students of Arabic language to use and hone their linguistic and communicational competence while gaining the cultural proficiency necessary to appreciate the complexities of Arab world. Please follow the link in the title of this snippet in order to find out more information about the course that Adil will be teaching.

New Lecturer in our Modern Hebrew and Israel Studies Program

We also welcome Tovi Romano as our lecturer in Modern Hebrew. Tovi comes to NELC with an extensive background in teaching and is currently completing graduate work in foreign language pedagogy (an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language, at Seattle Pacific Un iversity). We are delighted that she has joined our team. Tovi will be teaching the Hebrew 421, 422, 423 sequence this year. This is a full year of intermediate Modern Hebrew designed to improve students' ability to read, write, speak, and understand Hebrew. In addition to the four basic skills, the intermediate level places emphasis on the structure and style of the Hebrew language and practical communication. (Please follow the link in the title of this snippet in order to find out more information about the Hebrew classes that Tovi will be teaching.)

Event Highlight

"For Those Who Sail to Heaven," a film about a Muslim saint's festival in contemporary Egypt. To be held on Thursday, 22 October 2009, 6:30-8:00 p.m. co-sponsored by NELC and ARCE.

Uighur in the News and in NELC

We have heard a great deal lately about the terrible violence in Shaoguan, China, between Uighurs and Han Chinese (see, e.g., recent items in the New York Times and the BBC). Before these tragic events, few in the United States had heard of Uighurs. Nevertheless, there are more than 10 million Uighurs in the region of Xinjiang China, and 300,000 in Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Unlike Chinese, Uighur is a Turkic language and it is becoming increasingly critical as world events unfold. Fortunately, you can learn Uighur in NELC! Starting this Fall, Dr. Talant Mawkanuli will teach "Introduction and Intermediate Uighur." He will also teach a topical course on "Islam and China." Don't miss these opportunities. Sign up for these classes soon!

Arabic Courses Waiting List

To be eligible for an add code for Arabic, students must complete the Autumn 2009 Arabic Waiting List Catalyst Survey. Completion of the survey puts students on a waiting list for an add code; it does not guarantee a spot in any Arabic class. (Please follow the link in the title of this snippet in order to view the Waiting List page.)

Scott Noegel Named Official Chair of NELC

Scott Noegel has been appointed a 5-year term to serve as the Department's Chair. This will be his second term serving as Department Chair. Welcome message from the Chair.

NELC Commencement

The Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilization Faculty congratulates the graduating class of 2008-2009!

NELC Fellowships

NELC offers many fellowship programs and opportunities for students of all disciplines. Please follow the link in the title of this snippet in order to view the NELC Fellowships page.