The School of Middle Eastern and North African Studies is a multi-disciplinary unit focusing on the region extending from Morocco to Afghanistan which includes the Arab world, Iran, Israel and Turkey, providing a full range of language courses in Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Hebrew (through Judaic Studies) and undergraduate and graduate studies in culture, history, religion, politics and conflict. Our faculty have been training graduate students since the 1980s. Our very diverse students and alumni come to Tucson from all regions of the United States as well as the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Latin America. Ph.D. students complete 54-57 units of coursework, including 45 units in the major track and 9-12 units in a minor.<br><br>The Middle Eastern Literatures track is designed for the study of one or more Middle Eastern literary traditions in an historical and analytical manner. The track accommodates the study of classical and modern Arabic and Persian literatures as well as modern Turkish literature. Student interested in Persian literature may also want to consider applying to the Roshan GIDP in Persian and Iranian Studies. Students in this track choose a primary literature of study, a secondary literature within MENAS, and a minor field which may be either a literary tradition outside of MENAS, or another academic discipline connected with the student's area of research. You are required to develop a strong competence in methods of literary study by taking relevant courses within MENAS or in other departments. You are also encouraged to go beyond the national literature framework as much as possible by taking courses in multiple literary traditions, in non-literary modes of cultural representation, and in academic disciplines outside of literary studies.