Middle East Studies Program - UW Madison

This coming Thursday! Please come to this important and timely event we are cosponsoring with the business school.

We are excited to cosponsor this important and timely program with the UW Madison School of Business, "The Middle East in the Global Economy and Global Security". September 24, 2026 from 4 pm-5:45 pm at Gordon Dining and Event Center, 770 W. Dayton Street, Symphony Room. Free and open to students, faculty, and the public. For more information and to register, go to: https://shorturl.at/BJCKy

We had a record breaking turnout at yesterday's MESP lecture with Professor Carla Calargé, where she discussed the depiction of Beirut during the civil war period in the Lebanese graphic novel. Make sure to mark your calendars for our next lecture on October 12 at noon with Peter Makhlouf (University of Notre Dame), entitled "Catastrophic Belatedness (Celan, Darwish, Derrida)". Click here for more info and to register: https://shorturl.at/qU61x

International Majors and Opportunities Fair
Wednesday, 9/23/2026
3:00-5:00 pm
Gordon Dining and Event Center: 770 W Dayton St

IMOF is an informational fair where students can learn about the many international majors, certificates, funding and scholarship opportunities, student organizations, events, and post-graduate support and programming that has an international component.

Questions? Contact the International Studies Major Advisor, Molly Donnellan, at [email protected].

UW in Türkiye: Crossroads of Civilizations — Summer 2027
September 9, 2026
Location: Istanbul, Türkiye
Duration: 3 weeks (mid/late May to early June)
Program Leader: Professor Karl Shoemaker (History & Law)
Eligibility: 2.0 cumulative GPA
Application Deadline: January 15, 2027
Program Information and Application:
https://my.studyabroad.wisc.edu/programsearch/program/details/330471

This Study Abroad program in Istanbul offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich cultural, historical, and social tapestry of one of the world’s most iconic cities. You will be introduced to the diverse cultures, histories, and peoples who have shaped Istanbul and the surrounding region over millennia. The program emphasizes Istanbul’s status as a global hub for commerce, religion, and culture, exploring how the city has evolved as a crossroads of civilizations. The course integrates these themes across a variety of subjects, appealing to students with interests in Business, Political Science, International Studies, History, Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, History of Islamic Art, Architecture and Museums, and Religious Studies. By engaging with the city’s vibrant past and present, students will gain a deeper understanding of its role on the world stage and the interconnectedness of global cultures.

Six $2000 scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of the Karpat Center for Turkish Studies. Students who meet the eligibility requirements will automatically be considered for the scholarship. Students who receive those additional scholarships will be notified at the same time as they receive acceptance to the program.

Start the year meeting with folks from the Political Science Department!🍦Meet Poli Sci professors and advisors, connect with fellow students, ask questions about the major, or just “scoop up” some free dessert.

Wednesday, September 23
4-6pm | MSC Lounge

"Anti-Muslim Bigotry in America: Where it Comes From and What to Do About It"

A J. Jobe and Marguerite Jacqmin Soffa Lecture by Professor Kecia Ali, Boston University

Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 4 pm (followed by Q&A and reception)
Alumni Lounge, Pyle center

To faciliate planning, please register online by September 30, 2026 (we welcome walk-ins too) at https://shorturl.at/bwgfw

Kecia Ali is Professor of Religion and Director of the Muslim Studies Program at Boston University. Her research ranges from Islam’s formative period to the present. In addition to Sexual Ethics and Islam, her books include Marriage and Slavery in Early Islam and The Lives of Muhammad as well as two open-access readers on American Muslim marriage and divorce. Her most recent book, The Woman Question in Islamic Studies, is a study of gender politics and academic sexism. She is currently working on an introductory survey of women in Muslim religious traditions.

Calling all students! The Fall 2026 Career and Internship Fair is here on Wednesday, September 16. Students of all years and majors can join us at the Kohl Center from 4-7:30 pm to connect with employers and learn about job or internship opportunities.

The all-campus fair is open to students of all majors plus UW-Madison alumni who graduated in the past two years. Register today at https://go.wisc.edu/y2gr7a

On October 9, AMECYS board member Rüstem Ertuğ Altınay will be holding a helpful workshop on finding and getting grants. This will be especially useful for those working on children and youth studies - so please check this out!

We are excited to announce our fall lecture series lineup! Go to https://mideast.wisc.edu/upcoming-events/ for more information and to register! All are free and open to the public.