Welcome to the Department of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian Languages and Literatures (AMESALL) at Rutgers University. Established in 2008 within the School of Arts and Sciences, AMESALL was founded on a unique vision: to study the languages, literatures, and cultures of Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia not as isolated regions, but as a single, interconnected geo-cultural space. Unlike traditional "Area Studies" programs or Western-centric Comparative Literature departments, AMESALL challenges students to explore the deep historical cross-fertilization and syncretic cultural traditions that bind these three vast regions together.
Majors and Minors
AMESALL offers flexible pathways for undergraduate study. Our Regional Option major allows for focused specialization in the languages and literatures of one of the three regions we cover. The Global Humanities Option is an interdisciplinary program linking culture and politics to foster critical thinking and social justice awareness. We also host six minor programs, includin language-focused minors in Arabic, Hindi-Urdu, Persian, and Turkish. These programs prepare students for advanced academic work, and a variety of careers in the arts, NGO and public policy organizations, international business, media, and the technology sector.
Faculty and Community
Our department is home to a diverse community of learners. While we proudly serve heritage students seeking to reconnect with their linguistic roots, our classrooms are true microcosms of the world, attracting students from engineering, business, nursing, and the sciences who seek to broaden their global horizons. We are home to internationally recognized scholars whose research spans classical literatures to modern cinema, sociolinguistics, and translation studies. Their work has earned prestigious awards, and is published by top academic presses globally. This research excellence directly informs our teaching, ensuring students engage with cutting-edge scholarship.
Our Impact
We are committed to preparing students for a global future. Our graduates leave with advanced language proficiency, critical analytical skills, and a nuanced understanding of complex cultural formations. Whether pursuing graduate studies, careers abroad, or opportunities closer to home, AMESALL alumni are equipped to navigate complex global challenges. Join us in exploring the rich tapestry of non-Western humanities. At AMESALL, we don’t just teach languages and literature; we cultivate global citizens ready to make a difference.