About the Department

Berkeley's Near Eastern Studies Department, founded in 1894, is one of the oldest and most distinguished such departments in the country. The Department offers both general instruction and specialized training in Archaeology, Art History, Assyriology, Egyptology, Iranian Studies, Judaic and Islamic Studies, Comparative Semitics, Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish.

NES Banner, collage by S. Kurtsikidze EXPLORING THE LIBERAL ARTS: INTRODUCING NES COURSES
CALIFORNIA CONSORTIUM in ISLAMIC STUDIES (CCIS)      
Sather Gate,Berkeley, photo by Shorena Kurtsikidze

The Department offers a wide variety of courses to supplement such related fields as classics, linguistics, history, political science, comparative literature, anthropology, and art history. NES is one of the leaders in the Digital Humanities movement on campus.

Women in Near Eastern Studies Department

150 years of women at berkeley
 150 Years of Women at Berkeley


The Department offers a comprehensive body of information on past and present Near Eastern civilizations.

Statement of Principles of NES Community

COVID-19 Measures (Academc Policies)
COVID-19 Resources and Support)

NES Commencement Ceremony

The Department of Near Eastern Studies' next Commencement Ceremony to be held in May has been postponed). More information about the commencement...

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Contact Information

  • nes@berkeley.edu

  • (510) 642-3757

  • 250 Barrows Hall
    Berkeley, CA 94720-1940
    United States

  • (510) 643-8430

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