Through music, literature, and historical and political writings, this interdisciplinary course offers an overview of contemporary Arabic culture. Starting with a historical overview of the Middle East, the rise of Islam, and the “Golden Age” of Arabic culture, we will address the effects of European colonialism on Middle Eastern politics, religion, and identity from the nineteenth century onward. Then, we will explore the geopolitics of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Lebanese civil war, the recent Arab revolutions, and the war in Iraq, emphasizing their human dimension and focusing on the role of the Arab Media in representing conflicts.
Texts:
The Arabs, Edward Atiyya.
Course Packet (Available at Jenn’s Copy, 2200 Guadalupe St)
Grading & Requirements:
Participation (20%)
Students are expected to come to class having read the material assigned for that day. Participation is assessed based on the frequency and quality of the questions and comments raised in class.
Oral Presentation (10%)
Students will present to the class research on any topic relevant to the content of the course. The presentations will be scheduled during Week 3 of the session.
Assignments (30%)
There will be 4, 3-page assignments required in this class. These short assignments spread throughout the semester are meant to test students’ comprehension of the material assigned. Papers will be evaluated on their accuracy of information, analytical skills, attention to detail, organization, and writing. The assignments will be reaction papers to materials read and/or covered in class
Final Paper (40%)
The final for this class consists of an 8 page take-home paper which addresses a particular theme related to the class material. Students will discuss the paper topic with the instructor during the course of the semester. The paper will comprise a research and analytical component, and will be evaluated based on originality, presentation, and writing. Paper topics will be provided during the course of the semester.
Writing Guidelines
All assignments and the final paper should be typed and double spaced. Late assignments or paper will NOT be accepted.
Writing Assistance
The Undergraduate Writing Center is located in FAC 211, phone 471-6222. The Center offers individualized assistance to students who want to improve their writing skills. There is no charge, and students may come in on a drop-in or appointment basis.