Feb 5, 2007--The Middle East Studies Committee announced the recipients of this year's awards at Middle East Studies Night, Feb. 5, in the Grand Hall, Fowler Center. The awards support academic research focused on Middle Eastern culture and are funded from the proceeds of an endowment established in 1994 by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education was the recipient of funds donated by King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, who valued promoting Middle Eastern cultural interests throughout the state of Arkansas.

This year's recipients are undergraduates Kristin Walker and Nicole Jones, doctoral student Fatme Myuhtar-May, and faculty member Dr. Gil Fowler.

Kristin Walker, an undergraduate psychology major with a music minor, will participate in a thirty-day study abroad course of Arabic culture in Jordan. Her proposal title, "Jordan: To the Beat of a Different Drum," will permit her to focus on the relationship between music, religion, and therapy.
Nicole Jones, an undergraduate journalism major, will participate in an eight-week study abroad program at the American University in Cairo. Her proposal title, "Study Cairo: A Journalism and Arabic Study Program in the Middle East, will allow her to study and work with other student journalists from Egypt and the U.S. She will also study conversational Egyptian Arabic and Egyptian culture.

Fatme Myuhtar-May, a doctoral student in Heritage Studies, will conduct ethnographic research for her dissertation in Turkey. Her proposal title, "Analysis of the Pomak: Contested Identity and its Impact on their Culture," will permit her to conduct ethnographic research that will be incorporated into her dissertation. She will analyze the implications and processes of identity dispute and formation within the culture of particular Pomak (Bulgarian Muslim) communities in both Turkey and Bulgaria.

Dr. Gilbert Fowler, professor of journalism, along with students from the College of Communications, will study media in the Middle East, primarily in Kuwait. His proposal title, "Middle East Media in Kuwait," will allow the group to develop news features to be aired or printed locally, to complete student portfolio work, and to develop promotional materials for the MESC/International Studies program.

For more information on the Middle East Studies Committee, call the Office of International Programs, 870-972-    , or visit http://international.astate.edu/Middle_East_Studies.htm. 

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