Middle East and North Africa Studies

GEOGRAPHY - For Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week in 2026, CAS gradate students share their experiences of what makes their experience special at CAS. CAS is home to 1,295 graduate students: 307 master’s and 959 PhD. With April 6-10 Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week, CAS reached out to some of its graduate students to hear how about their experiences at the college.

ECONOMICS - How can the US solve gun violence? That’s the question that Jens Ludwig asked when he wrote his 2025 book “Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence.” Ludwig brings his insight as an economist and how research can inform policymaking to the University of Oregon Eugene campus on Thursday, April 9, from 3:30-4:15 p.m. at Lillis 282.

ASIAN STUDIES, JAPANESE — What makes Japanese popular culture so fascinating? How are cute characters like Hello Kitty — arguably the most recognized icon in the world — and games like Pokémon — the world’s highest grossing franchise — transforming global politics and the ways people construct their own identities? These are some of the questions students explore in ASIA 399: Japanese Popular Culture and the World.