Courses

A general survey and examination of the socio-cultural structure of the modern Arab world.  Taught in English. This course explores the intersecting political, artistic, and intellectual currents and practices that have shaped contemporary Arab cultures. It is organized as a survey of different cultural phenomena in Arab societies and diasporas including: the Arabic language and its varieties, music, poetry, law, television & cinema, and more. We will critically examine various meanings of the term “culture,” such as social norms, popular culture, and the arts, asking: what is “Arab culture” and how should we study it? In the class, we will engage in self-reflective practices where we examine our experiences and shifting understandings of culture and put these in dialogue with scholarly sources. We will read essays from The Cambridge Companion to Modern Arab Culture (Ed. Dwight F. Reynolds) and engage with literary narrative, poetry, film, music, theater, and architecture from Arab regions. This course takes an active learning approach; we will cultivate a learning community that supports the intellectual development of each member and the whole. Students will play an active role in curating course content. GE Foundation: Historical and Cultural Studies, GE Foundation: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Diversity

An introduction to the culture of modern Israel: historical roots, socio-political institutions and developments, and literary and artistic creations reflecting the realities of contemporary Israeli society.  Prereq: 2241H requires Honors standing, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 241. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.  Cross-listed in Jewish Studies 2242. The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with contemporary Israeli culture in all of its diversity.  Since the founding of the State in 1948, Israeli society has faced a series of dramatic challenges and has undergone tremendous changes.  This course will survey the major social, cultural, religious and political trends in Israel, with special emphasis on the post-1967 period.  We will explore developments in music, dance, poetry, and archaeology; responses to founding ideals and ideologies; the impact of the Arab-Israeli conflict; efforts to absorb new waves of immigration and to deal with questions of ethnicity; and the roles of religion and secularism in Israeli society.  We will draw on a broad range of material, including print media, films, and YouTube clips.   By the end of the course, students should have an insight into the complexity of Israeli society and the richness of Israeli culture, as well as an understanding of Israel’s role in Jewish life, the Middle East, and the world at large.

Introduction to the manner in which Islam has interacted with politics in the Middle East and vicinity from the rise of Islam through the present. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx. Not open to students with credit for 340. GE historical study course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course.

Origins and early development of selected fundamental Islamic institutions in their historical and cultural context. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx. Not open to students with credit for 540.01. GE historical study course.

Examination of the position on women in the contemporary Middle East; impact of regional environment on gender identity; gender bias studies in various Middle Eastern countries. Prereq: English 1100. Not open to students with credit for NELC 3205. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE Foundation: Historical and Cultural Studies.

Utilizing new historical methods for reading and interpreting the sparse contemporary and near-contemporary testimonies for this historical period, this course explores how these testimonies, both Muslim and non-Muslim, continue to challenge historians to revise the history of the Islamic conquests. In this course a strong focus is placed on reading primary source materials in translation. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for History 3355. GE historical study and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in History.

An introduction to the historical, ideological, and cultural growth of Judaism examined from a variety of methodological perspectives. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 201. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.

Introductory survey of political, social, ideological, and religious trends as reflected in Yiddish culture, especially folklore and literature. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Yiddish 2241 (241). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in Yiddish.

An introduction to the Culture of modern Israel: historical roots, socio-political institutions and developments, and literary and artistic creations reflecting the realities of contemporary Israeli society. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 2242H, Hebrew 2241 (241), or 2241H (241H). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in Hebrew 2241.

Introduction to the history of Jewish communities, religion, and culture in Europe during the Medieval and Early Modern periods. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 2451 (330.01 and 330.02). GE historical study course. Cross-listed in History.

Study of the history of Jewish communities and Judaism from the early modern period to the early 21st century. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 2452 (330.02). GE historical study course. Cross-listed in History.

The history of Zionist movement and the modern state of Israel from beginnings to present. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 2453 (334). GE historical study course. Cross-listed in History.

Study of the development of anti-Semitism, the history of anti-Semitic ideologies and practices, and different Jewish responses to anti-Semitism over time. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 2454 (333). GE historical study course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in History.

A study of how modern Jews appear in film compared with historical reality. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 2455 (332). GE historical study course. Cross-listed in History.

Study of the state-sponsored murder of millions of Jews and non-Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 2475. GE historical study course. Cross-listed in History.

A survey of ten centuries of medieval Jewish culture from the rise of Islam to the death of Shabbetai Zvi, the false Messiah (1676). Prereq: Not open to students with credit for MedRen 2516 (Medieval 216) or Hebrew 2216 (216). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in MedRen 2516 and Hebrew 2216.

The history of Jewish mysticism from antiquity to the present, with emphasis on its implications for the comparative study of religious experience. Prereq: English 1110. Not open to students with credit for 2210, 2210H, 3210H, CompStd 2210, 2210H, Hebrew 2210, 3210, 2210H, 3210H, RelStds 2210, 3210, 2210H, or 3210H. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in Hebrew and RelStds.

Survey of the history and historiography of Israel from its origins to the advent of Hellenism. Prereq: English 1110.xx, and any History 2000-level course; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 3450 (530.01). GE historical study course. Cross-listed in History.

Survey of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East emphasizing the Cold War, Arab-Israeli conflict, Iran, and wars against Iraq. Sometimes this course is offered in a distance-only format. Prereq: English 1110.xx, and any History 2000-level course; or permission of instructor. GE Foundation: Historical and Cultural Studies.

Introduction to the culture of the Middle East as lived in its villages, towns, and cities. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 241 or Anthrop 2241 (241). Cross-listed in Anthrop. GE Foundation: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Diversity. GE Foundation: Historical and Cultural Studies.

This course will explore how the end of the world-generally understood to be preceded by enormous wars and disasters as well as the judgment of people and a reckoning of their deeds-was imagined over two millennia by Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The course will cover primary and secondary historical works, as well as fictional bestsellers, about the apocalypse from around the world. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 2680. GE historical study and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in History.

This is an introduction to the history and cultures of the ancient empires of southwestern Asia, focusing on the period from the Akkadian empire to the establishment of Islam (ca 2340 BCE - ca 750 CE). Prereq: English 1110. GE historical study course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course.

A survey of Persian culture through the reading of Persian literature in translation, viewing of Persian films, and listening to Persian music. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 241. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. This course will expose students to the diversity and richness of Persian culture. Because of the importance of religion in Persian culture, students will study in broad outline the distinguishing features of Shi'a Islam as practiced in Iran and they will be introduced to the main tenets of Persian sufism. The impact on Iran of two outside cultures - that of the Arabs and that of the industrialized West - will also be considered. The course will take into account endemic tensions in Persian culture: for example, between indigenous and outside forces, between absolutism and populism, etc. Much of the instruction will be through the examination of literary works, particularly twentieth century literary works; students will also see Iranian films and receive an introduction to Persian music and the Persian tradition of miniature painting.

An introduction to Turkish culture through reading of literature and criticism, and listening and viewing of films, slides, and performances arranged for the class. This is a course exposing students to a diverse and living culture with a great and ancient heritage. Contributions of the local and international Turkish communities, in the form of performances arranged for the class, films, slides, and recordings, will form the in-class experience. Through these means and through assigned readings and discussion, students will comprehend the span and depth of the Turkish contribution to human values, and research one aspect of that culture in some detail according to his or her personal interests. By the end of the course students will have an enlightened understanding of the Turkish role in shaping human history and contemporary events. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 241. GE Foundation: Historical and Cultural Studies