We are excited to announce that Near Eastern Languages and Cultures is now Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures, or NESA!

The Board of Trustees during their May meeting approved the name change of the department. The benefits of the name change are manifold. This change brings the name in line with the longstanding research and teaching of South Asian studies that already enriches the department with South Asian languages such as Hindu and Urdu being offered as early as 2006. The change also brings in the talented faculty of the South Asia Studies Initiative (SASI) as affiliated faculty, opening up new opportunities for course cross-listing, increased collaboration and represents our mission by highlighting the importance of inclusivity and diversity as well as emphasizing the deep ties between all regions our department studies and examines both in history and in modern-day cultures.