Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures

Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures

Office: B027 Cabell Hall
Phone: (434) 924-3452

For placement information, refer to the foreign language placement index or the MESALC website.

The Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures (MESALC) offers a comprehensive program in the languages, literatures, and cultures of the Middle East and South Asia. We teach Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Persian, Sanskrit, and Urdu at several levels, including undergraduate courses in classical and modern literatures for most of the languages. We also offer courses that teach these literatures in English translation and that emphasize their relevance to the sociopolitical, historical, and cultural aspects of the Middle East and South Asia.

The languages offered are designed to serve the individual needs of students in various departments and disciplines. Students may seek a major or minor in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies—with a regional concentration in either the Middle East or South Asia. Students desiring more language training may work toward a major in Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Literatures.

Students interested in studying the Middle East or South Asia are encouraged to begin their language training as soon as possible, preferably in their first semester at UVa. All MESALC language programs offer the introductory 101-level course each Fall (an no MESALC language programs offer 101-level courses in the spring semesters).

Students interested in declaring either of MESALC’s majors must take one of three introductory non-language courses: either MESA 101 (Introduction to the Literatures of the Middle East and South Asia), or MEST 110 (Introduction to Middle East Studies) or SAST 110 (Introduction to South Asia Studies). MESA 100 (taught spring semesters) is also particularly appropriate for first-year students.

Both MESALCs majors are interdisciplinary, so courses from other departments are required. See the departmental website for more information and for a complete list of requirements for the two majors and the minor.