In its first year, 1,052 students enrolled in ME/SA courses. By June 2006, the program had won a major U.S.
Middle East/South Asia Studies (ME/SA) at UC Davis provides students with a place to learn about the languages, cultures, and societies of this diverse and dynamic region from an interdisciplinary perspective. The Middle East/ South Asia Studies Program was founded in 2004 as an undergraduate Minor in response to the demands of UC Davis students and the urgent need for understanding this crucial a
05/12/2026
Check out our Fall 2026 classes to browse the schedule and plan your quarter. New this fall: MSA 002Y/ECH 002Y – World Coffee Cultures and MSA 150/GSW 185 – Women and Islamic Discourses. Email ME/SA Advisor Mishaal at [email protected] with any registration questions.
02/11/2026
Join us for the Middle East/South Asia Studies Undergraduate & Graduate Research Symposium!
This one-day event highlights student research focused on the Middle East, South Asia, North Africa, and their diasporic communities. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Student Community Center (Meeting Room D)
Lunch and refreshments provided.
Interested in presenting? Submit your abstract to [email protected]
by Saturday, March 7, 2026.
We look forward to showcasing the incredible work of our students.
02/04/2026
Interested in learning about the Sikh culture?
Consider registering for MSA 181B: Sikh Teachings and Culture with Professor Kuldeep Singh!
This course gives an introduction to the core topics in the Sikh tradition and culture through historical, social, and ethical perspectives from 1469 to the present.
Class session and registration information is listed on the flyer! Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.
02/04/2026
Interested in exploring how artificial intelligence can be applied to Islamic texts?
Consider registering for MSA 181C: AI and Islamic Texts: Using Large Language Models on Biographies with Professor Mairaj Syed!
This hands-on course introduces students to prompt engineering and large language models (LLMs) through the study of Islamic biographical texts.
Class session and registration information is listed on the flyer! Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.
02/02/2026
Spring 2026 Pass 1 registration starts today! Take a moment to review your academic plan and check out our course offerings for the upcoming quarter.
01/15/2026
Hello everyone! We hope the start of the winter quarter is going well :))
Just a reminder that the deadline for the Suad Joseph Undergraduate Research Grant is THIS WEEKEND Sunday, January 18, 2026
The Suad Joseph Undergraduate Research Grant welcomes applications from all students while especially encouraging applicants from under-represented groups whose contributions to studies of ME/SA peoples and cultures have been marginalized or silenced.
Applications are due: Sunday, January 18, 2026
12/10/2025
Hi Aggies! Looking for courses to add to your Winter 2026 schedule? Check out this interesting course!🌟
11/20/2025
Some of our ME/SA team had a chance to meet at last night’s event! Her conversation with .may was so inspiring to us all!
11/06/2025
Looking for classes to add? Check out our Winter 2026 offerings!
10/13/2025
✨New Event - Exploring the Life and Legacy of a Mystic: Professor Puran Singh Symposium✨
Join us at the UC Davis Conference Center, Ballroom C on October 25 from 2:30PM - 4:30PM to celebrate the legacy of Professor Puran Singh through an inspiring program of scholarship, music, and poetry - honoring his unique fusion of science, spirituality, and art to illuminate the human spirit.
Refreshments (chai and samosas) will be provided.
Volunteer Opportunity🌟: please use this link to sign-up to volunteer at this event - https://forms.gle/zJmd9cf4PQkVwKUWA
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 2:30PM - 4:30PM
Location: UC Davis Conference Center, Ballroom C
We hope to see you there!