Spring 2026
MELC 11 001 - LEC 001
Middle Eastern Worlds: The Modern Middle East
Nora Jacobsen Ben Hammed
Class #:24871
Units: 4
Instruction Mode:
In-Person Instruction
Offered through
Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures
Current Enrollment
Total Open Seats:
13
Enrolled: 87
Waitlisted: 0
Capacity: 100
Waitlist Max: 20
Open Reserved Seats:0
Hours & Workload
3 hours of instructor presentation of course materials per week, and 9 to 8 hours of outside work hours per week.
Final Exam
TUE, MAY 12TH
03:00 pm - 06:00 pm
Cory 277
Other classes by Nora Jacobsen Ben Hammed
Course Catalog Description
This course provides a multidisciplinary introduction to the Middle East, an area that has long dominated the news but remains relatively unknown to most Americans. In a broad sense, the Middle East refers to “Arab” countries in general as well as Israel, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and the region of Kurdistan. The course aims to help students expand their knowledge and understanding of the social, economic, and cultural complexities that underlie current events and politics in the Middle East. We will examine the interplay of cultures, societies, and economies of various regional communities that remain central to the dynamics of Middle Eastern identities.
Rules & Requirements
Repeat Rules
Course is not repeatable for credit.
Requirements class fulfills
Meets the Culture and Globalization Course Thread
Meets Historical Studies, L&S Breadth
Meets International Studies, L&S Breadth
Reserved Seats
Reserved Seating For This Term
Textbooks & Materials
See class syllabus or https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbooks for the most current information.
Guide to Open, Free, & Affordable Course Materials