Outreach and Public Education

The Center for Middle Eastern Studies is active locally, regionally, and nationally in its goal of enhancing public knowledge of the Middle East. The Public Education Project manages all outreach programs and collaborates with educational institutions, cultural and religious organizations, diplomatic circles, businesses, government, and the media.

We draw on the critical expertise of scholars and specialists from the University of Chicago community and around the country to promote a descriptive and critical undertstanding of the Middle East in both historical and contemporary contexts. Our principal aim is to create new learning opportunites for K-12 and community college educators, administrators, and students. These opportunities typically come in the form of thematic professional development workshops for teachers, but we work directly with individuals and groups outside of the workshop setting to develop and customize other types of programs. We also organize a variety of on- and off-campus events intended for the general public and other audiences.

For more information about outreach and public education at CMES or to talk about how to transform your idea into a future event, please contact Alexander Barna, CMES Outreach Coordinator (abarna@uchicago.edu).

The CMES Public Education Project is funded in part by the US Department of Education.