Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations
The Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations is concerned with the interdisciplinary study of the civilizations and cultures of the Near and Middle East from Neolithic times until the present, including their archaeology, history, mythology, religion and thought, art and architecture, and languages and literatures (Akkadian, Babylonian, Sumerian, Aramaic, Syriac, ancient Egyptian, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and Turkish). The Department's programs provide students with a unique opportunity to study non-Western complex societies and civilizations.
Admission Information
- Apply to the Humanities admission category on the St. George campus
- Six Grade 12 U or M courses, including English are required
- Students outside of Ontario should have the equivalent senior high school credits
Honours Bachelor of Arts Program
- Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations (specialist, major and minor options)
First-Year Courses
- NMC 101H1 - Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations I: Land of the Pharaohs
- NMC 102H1 - Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations II: Heartland of Ancient Empires
- NMC 103H1 - Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations III: The Islamic World
Advice for First Year
The Department welcomes students of all academic backgrounds who wish to learn about the Near and Middle East. NMC101H1 and NMC102H1 introduce students to the ancient Near East, including ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, while NMC103H1 introduces students to the Islamic world. Students pursuing a Specialist or Major program are required to take two of these Gateway courses.
Many courses offered in the Department do not require any knowledge of the languages of the region. However, the Department strongly believes that a deeper understanding of the civilizations and cultures of the Near and Middle East can be achieved through the study of one or more of its languages.
Careers
Courses in Near and Middle Eastern civilizations are also useful if you plan to concentrate your undergraduate studies in other areas, such as archaeology, comparative religion, anthropology, international relations, or political science.
An undergraduate degree in the field is the required preparation for further academic study to be a university or college professor, researcher, archaeologist or museum curator.
Direct career options include:
| Journalism | Historian |
| International banking | International relations consultant |
| Business, diplomacy | Librarian |
| International development worker | Researcher |
| Cultural events coordinator | Tour guide |
| ESL teacher | Translator |
| Foreign Service officer | Travel agent |
| Immigration officer | Cultural program director |
