UC Berkeley launches one of the nation’s few Palestinian-Arab studies programs amid demand

Campanile Clock Tower on the campus of UC Berkeley. UC Berkeley will launch a new endowed program and chair in Palestinian and Arab studies, one of the few in the nation, as the Israel-Hamas war has fueled huge demand to better understand the history, culture and politics of the people of the region. “It’s an opportunity for us to deepen our commitment to outstanding scholarship; to explore important but neglected fields of study; and to build inclusive education.” Makdisi said interest in Palestinian studies is the highest it has ever been since he began teaching it as part of Arab studies 27 years ago. “Every generation grapples with this challenging history on its own terms, and every generation finds new sources, new evidence and new insights,” Berkeley history department Chair Cathryn Carson said in a statement. “UC Berkeley is ideally situated to nurture emerging scholars in Palestinian and Arab Studies and advance fresh thinking on a broad array of topics.” The program’s inaugural conference is scheduled on Nov. 12 and 13 for scholars from around the world to discuss how to best teach and learn about Palestinian and Arab history, politics and society.