Courses on the Middle East and Surrounding Regions

History

Akin:

HISTORY 2352
The Ottoman Empire, 1300-1922

Studies the Ottoman Empire from the 13th to early 20th century, with an emphasis on the conquest of Istanbul, the consolidation of the borders of the empire, the establishment of the state apparatus in the classical period, a period of turbulence leading to a substantial transformation of the state in the early 19th century, and finally the empire's dissolution in the aftermath of WWI. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 3356. GE historical study course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. 

Goldish:

History 2455 – Jews in American Film
Instructor: Matt Goldish
Days/Time: Hybrid; M, 11:10 AM – 12:30 PM
Description: A study of how modern Jews appear in film compared with historical reality.
GE: Historical and Cultural Studies; Race, Ethnicity & Gender Diversity

Yehudai:

HISTORY 3475
History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict

This course follows the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict from its inception in the late 19th century to the early 21st century. Course materials include secondary historical sources, a variety of primary documents, short stories, memoirs and films. These materials will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the history of the conflict from multiple perspectives. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, GE foundation writing and info literacy course, or permission of instructor. GE cultures and ideas and historical study course. GE theme traditions, cultures, and transformations course. 

HISTORY 4475
Seminar in Jewish History

Advanced research and readings on selected topics in Jewish History. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course, a grade of C or above in History 2800, and any 3000-level History course; or permission of instructor. 
 

Al-Jallad:

Arabic 2701 – Classical and Medieval Arabic Literature in Translation
Instructor: Ahmad Al-Jallad
Days/Time: TBA
Description: Reading and analysis of major works of Arabic literature from the 6th to 17th centuries including classical poetry, the Qur'an, and the Arabian Nights.​
GE: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts
Credit Hours: 3

Arabic 5611 – History of the Arabic Language
Instructor: Ahmad Al-Jallad
Days/Time: TBA
Description: Survey of the evolution of the Arabic language in its cultural and historical setting.​
Credit Hours: 3

Anthony:

Arabic 3601 – Introduction to Arabic Philosophy
Instructor: Sean Anthony
Days/Time: TBA
Description: Surveying the development and major subjects and thinkers of the most vivid period of Arabic philosophy.​
GE Theme: Citizenship for a Diverse and Just World
Credit Hours: 3

NELC 7501 – Narratives of Origin: The Islamic Tradition
Instructor: Sean Anthony
Days/Time: TBA
Description: How the contours of the Islamic narrative fare in a source-critical context.​
Credit Hours: 3

Sellman:

Arabic 3702 – Place, Space, and Migration in Modern Arabic Literature and Film**  
Instructor: Johanna Sellman  
Description: Modern Arabic literature and culture in translation focusing on migration, belonging, and space through literary and film narratives.  
Prerequisite: English 1110  
GE Theme: Lived Environments  
Credit Hours: 3

Dirbas:

Arabic 5405 – ALI Advanced Arabic for the Professions**  
Instructor: Hekmat Dirbas  
Description: Advanced Arabic used in diplomatic/government/NGO contexts, with a focus on professional communication for advanced students.  
Prerequisite: GPA 3.0+ in Arabic courses, Sophomore or higher standing  
Credit Hours: 3

Frank:

Hebrew 2700 – Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
Instructor: Daniel Frank
Days/Time: TR, 9:35 AM – 10:55 AM
Description: Introduction taught from historical perspective, focusing on formation of gender, identity and race.​
GE: Literary, Visual and Performing Arts; Race, Ethnicity and Gender Diversity
Credit Hours: 3

Golan:

Hebrew 3245 – Israeli Film & Society
Instructor: Galit Elli Golan
Days/Time: WF, 12:45 PM – 2:05 PM
Description: Analysis of how Israeli films represent Israeli life and society from the 1930s to present.​

Hosseini:

Islam 3201 – Muslims in America and Europe: Migration and Living Between Worlds**  
Instructor: Parvaneh Hosseini  
Description: Experiences of Muslim minorities in the West, with a focus on migration and diaspora.  
Prerequisite: Not open to students with credit for NELC 3201  
GE Theme: Citizenship for a Diverse and Just World  
Credit Hours: 3

Jhaldiyal:

SASIA 2230 – Living Everyday Lives: Systems of Discrimination in the United States and South Asia
Instructor: Richa Jhaldiyal
Days/Time: TBA
Description: Compares everyday life where caste is a category of oppression in South Asia with race as a category of oppression in the United States.
GE: Race, Ethnicity and Gender Diversity
Credit Hours: 3

SASIA 3220 – Citizenship in South Asia
Instructor: Richa Jhaldiyal
Days/Time: TBA
Description: Engages students with how citizenship is imagined in nation states, in colonial India, and manifest in post-colonial South Asia.
GE Theme: Citizenship for a Diverse and Just World
Credit Hours: 3

Kamali Sarvestani:

Persian 2701 – Persian Literature in Translation
Instructor: Mehrak Kamali Sarvestani  
Description: Survey from classical to modern Persian literature in English translation.  
Prerequisite: English 1110 or equivalent writing course  
GE Foundation: Literature, Visual and Performing Arts  
Credit Hours: 3

Moore:

NELC 5103 – Phoenician Grammar
Instructor: James Moore  
Description: Survey and readings in Phoenician and early Punic texts, focusing on grammar and historical context.  
Prerequisite: At least one semester of any Semitic language  
Time: Wednesday 2:15 – 5:00 PM  
Credit Hours: 3

NELC 3168 – History of God
Instructor: James D. Moore
Days/Time: Tuesday & Thursday – 2:20 PM – 3:40 PM

Nadiv:

Hebrew 3704 – Women in the Bible and Beyond
Instructor: Yohnatan Nadiv
Days/Time: Online Asynchronous
Description: Examination of social, legal, and religious position of women in the Hebrew Bible and their representation in later sources.
GE: Literary, Visual and Performing Arts; Race, Ethnicity and Gender Diversity

Schellinger:

NELC3804: Culture and Society in Ancient Egypt
In this 4-credit-hour research intensive course, students will develop an advanced understanding of how cultural traditions and transformations over time impacted the daily lives of the ancient Egyptians. Topics include the land of Egypt and its people, art and writing, international relations, women and children, religion and ritual, the legacy of ancient Egypt and more.

NELC 3700: Mythologies of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
Throughout this course we will explore the religious beliefs and practices of the Mesopotamians and Egyptians through the environments which shaped their belief systems including the creation and destruction of their worlds, concepts of death and the afterlife, the heroes and antiheroes who interacted with the gods, and ways in which the gods were invoked to assist in their daily lives. Although there are distinct differences between the myths and practices of the Mesopotamians and Egyptians, we will explore the universality and social significance of these stories and how they prevail in today’s society.

Tanenbaum:

Jewish Studies 2201 – Introduction to Jewish Culture, Thought, & Practice**  
Instructor: Adena Tanenbaum  
Multidisciplinary introduction to Judaism’s historical, ideological, and cultural evolution.  
Prerequisite: Not open to students with credit for 201  
GE Foundation:* Historical and Cultural Studies  
Credit Hours:* 3

Young:

NELC 2241
The Middle East Close-Up: People, Cultures, Societies

Introduction to the culture of the Middle East as lived in its villages, towns, and cities. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Anthrop 2241. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross-listed in Anthrop.

Sylvan:

POLITSC 4327
Politics in the Middle East

Danielle Schoon:

SOCIOL 3200 
Sociology of Immigration

Provides a sociological understanding of contemporary migration both globally and with a particular focus on the U.S. The course will examine why migration occurs; how it is sustained over time; and how immigrants are incorporated into the host society. Social relations as central to understanding immigration will be a focus of the course. GE diversity soc div in the US course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. SOCIOL 3200: Lecture Section 002 (27000)