近东语言和文明系向学生介绍近东和中东的古代和现代民族，语言，文化和社会。松散地定义为从西部的摩洛哥延伸到东部的伊朗和阿富汗，该地区是世界各大宗教和文明的故乡。从历史上看，其语言，文学和文化的影响已扩展到中亚，东亚和东南亚，撒哈拉以南非洲，欧洲和北美。因此，近东和中东的研究由于其在国际舞台上的政治，经济和文化意义而成为学术研究的重要领域。本科生集中学习者可以从多种学习方向中进行选择，从而在该地区一种或多种语言和文学中发展技能。该部门提供各种古代和现代语言的教学，包括阿卡德语，阿拉伯语，阿拉姆语，亚美尼亚语，
The Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations introduces students to the ancient and modern peoples, languages, cultures, and societies of the Near/Middle East. Loosely defined as stretching from Morocco in the west to Iran and Afghanistan in the east, the region is home some of the world's great religions and civilizations. Historically, the influence of its languages, literatures and cultures has extended to Central, East and Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and North America. Thus, the study of the Near and Middle East is an important area of academic inquiry on account of its political, economic and cultural significance on the international stage.<br><br>The concentration offers students a multi-faceted and inter-disciplinary perspective on Near Middle Eastern cultures and languages that have been so influential throughout the world. Undergraduate concentrators develop skills in one or more of the languages of the region on their way to choosing from a wide variety of directions of study.