Undergraduate Advising

Undergraduate Major Adviser

For questions regarding the MELC undergraduate program, declaring a major or minor, course planning and registration, study abroad, and other academic matters, please schedule a meeting with the undergraduate major adviser. All advising meetings must be scheduled in advance. 

Rania Shah
Undergraduate Major & Minor Advisor
250A Social Sciences
Email: rania.shah@berkeley.edu 

Faculty Major Adviser

Students may also schedule a meeting with a MELC Faculty Advisor to discuss courses, the department honors program, career opportunities, and study abroad opportunities. 

For questions pertaining to Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Turkish, and the modern Middle East, contact:

Wali Ahmadi, Associate Professor of Persian Literature

284 Social Sciences
Email: ahmadi@berkeley.edu
Tuesday & Thursday, 11AM-12PM; or e-mail for advising appointment


For questions pertaining to the Ancient Middle East, contact:

Benjamin Porter, Associate Professor of Middle Eastern Archaeology

240 Social Sciences
Email: bwporter@berkeley.edu
Please e-mail for advising appointment