Middle Eastern Studies Program
From the Program Director, Dr. Dina Le Gall
Drawing on faculty from a number of departments, the Interdisciplinary Program in Middle Eastern Studies seeks to provide students with an introduction to an area of the world that is as historically and culturally rich as it is critical to today’s geopolitics. The double purpose is to introduce students to a variety of topics and issues in the history, politics, languages, societies, and cultures of the Middle East and to give them the opportunity to study the Middle East using the tools of diverse disciplines. We define the Middle East broadly to include the whole area from North Africa to Afghanistan.
The program is offered as a minor field that complements a wide array of majors. It is particularly valuable for students who wish to combine an interest in the Middle East with majors such as History, Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, or Languages and Literatures in preparation for graduate work in Middle Eastern Studies or for professional careers in education, business, media, government, human rights, diplomacy, and law, among others.
Learning Goals and Objectives
Field Competency: Students will gain an introduction to the Middle East and develop a grasp of central issues in the history, politics, literatures and/or societies of the region. They will approach the Middle East from at least two disciplinary perspectives, including anthropology, history, literature, or political science.
Analytical Skills: Students will hone their reading and analytical skills, and will know how to access information and how to summarize and evaluate scholarly arguments and media opinions based on evidence.
Writing Skills: Students will be able to produce well-argued and carefully supported written assignments in which they synthesize information from different sources, advance and sustain arguments, use citations according to accepted academic standards, and avoid plagiarism.
Cultural/Political Awareness: Students will be aware of the diversity of Middle Eastern societies, will learn to approach these societies with empathy, and will be able to participate productively and dispassionately in discussions of complex and contested issues.
Upcoming Events
October 3, 2026
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
2nd Annual Fall Alumni Rendezvous
Reminisce. Reconnect. Celebrate. Join us for the 2nd Annual Fall Alumni Rendezvous, a festive day back on campus celebrating all things Lehman. Reconnect with classmates, explore campus, and enjoy live music, the Name That Sim Contest, the Lehman Link-Up Walkway, guided tours, a Performing Arts Showcase, raffles and giveaways, a beer garden, and a BBQ-style lunch with gluten-free and vegetarian options. Celebrate the memories, connections, and community that make Lehman special!
October 6, 2026
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Bachata Event: Music, Movement & History
A Hispanic Heritage month celebration with Bachata artist Fermin Ceballos, involving music, movement and history.
October 8, 2026
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Beat the Bots: A Writer's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI
You have a story to tell, an important story, your story. Getting that story down on paper is hard, though, and with bots taking over the writing market, authors worry they’ll soon become irrelevant. The answer isn’t to surrender to the doom and gloom predictions. On the contrary, it’s time to lean into your humanity, to do what artificial intelligence can’t—be creative.
October 15, 2026
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
A Reading and Celebration with CUNY Alum Dr. Ayendy Bonifacio
Come join us to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Dr. Ayendy Bonifacio and his Novel Bless Me, Papi. There will be a book signing, refreshments and a book raffle.
October 21, 2026
4:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Choreography by Lehman Alumni Choreography fellows Ana Pri and NiNi Sunrose followed by a conversation with the choreographers moderated by Dianna Cruz.
November 4, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:25 PM
New Voices: Student Playwriting Festival Fall ’26
The New Voices Student Playwriting Festival is produced each fall by Lehman Stages in collaboration with The Department of Theater, Dance, Multimedia Performing Arts, and the Lehman Art Gallery.
