Middle East Studies Association of North America

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Middle East Studies Association of North America (often referred to as MESA) is, according to its website, "a non-political association that fosters the study of the Middle East, promotes high standards of scholarship and teaching, and encourages public understanding of the region and its peoples through programs, publications and services that enhance education, further intellectual exchange, recognize professional distinction, and defend academic freedom."[1]

Contents

[edit] History

MESA was founded in 1966 with 50 original members, including Bernard Lewis, Malcolm Kerr, Samih Farsoun, and other scholars. According to its website, its current membership exceeds 2,600 and it "serves as an umbrella organization for more than sixty institutional members and thirty-nine affiliated organizations." It is a constituent society of the American Council of Learned Societies, the National Council of Area Studies Associations, and a member of the National Humanities Alliance.

Past presidents include Ali Banuazizi and John Esposito.

[edit] Current activities

The current president during the 2005-2006 academic term is Juan Cole.

It is the publisher of The International Journal of Middle East Studies journal.

Many academics associated with MESA, including it's recent presidents John Esposito and Juan Cole, have been criticized by Martin Kramer.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ MESA Website, accessed May 26, 2006