Main navigation
- Programs
- Subjects
- Universities
- Destinations
- Advice
The Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures unites diverse cultural and linguistic studies, spanning both ancient and modern eras, into a dynamic interdisciplinary program. At NELC, we breathe life into history. Our department connects Middle Eastern cultural studies to undergraduate education and the broader Los Angeles community, while cultivating future specialists in Near Eastern and Middle Eastern studies through our graduate programs.
NELC's mission focuses on the academic exploration, analysis, sharing, and preservation of historical traditions, cultural practices, and intellectual frameworks originating from the Near East - humanity's earliest civilization hub. These cultural developments span over 10 millennia and continue to influence global innovation and discourse. Our department emphasizes teaching and research on West Asia and North Africa, commonly referred to as the Middle East (contemporary studies) or Near East (ancient studies). Certain cultural disciplines like Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, and Iranian Studies often extend beyond these regional borders.