Courses on the Middle East and Surrounding Regions

ANTHROP 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 NELC 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 NELC. Lecture Section 0010 (37472)

ARABIC 2241 
Contemporary Arab Cultures: Arts, Mass Media, Society

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. GE culture and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course. In-Person Lecture Section 10 (27032), Distance Learning Lecture Section 20 (29074)

ARABIC 2702 
Gender and Citizenship in Modern Arabic Literature

Reading and analysis of representative works of the 19th and 20th centuries; by contemporary women authors. Prereq: GE foundation writing and info literacy course. Not open to students with credit for 2702H, WGSSt 2702, or WGSSt 2702H. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. Cross-listed in WGSSt. Lecture Section 10 (35625)

CLAS 3217 
Family, household, and kinship in the Ancient World

This upper-level course focuses on the family as a foundational unit of ancient Mediterranean societies. Through a survey of primary and secondary literature, the students will engage with the evolution of familial networks from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity, with a focus on the Greco-Roman world. Prereq: English 1110.xx, GE foundation writing and info literacy course, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 3217. GE theme traditions, cultures, and transformations course. Cross-listed in History. Lecture Section 010 (35102)

CLAS 3205 
What is Race? Perspectives from Antiquity to the Present

This course introduces students to ancient Greek and Roman ideas of race, ethnicity, and gender, to the intersections between these ideas in the thought and lived experience of ancient peoples, to how these ideas were used, remade, and redeployed in early modernity and afterward, and to the key role of the ancient Mediterranean in modern racist ideologies. Prereq: English 1110.xx, or completion of GE Foundation Writing and Information Literacy Course, or permission of instructor. GE foundation race, ethnicity and gender div course. Lecture Section 010 (27460)

COMM 1100 
Communication in Society

Role of communication in society; forms, strategies, theories and issues; interpersonal, group, organizations, public and mass communication. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 200. GE soc sci indivs and groups course. GE foundation social and behavioral sci course. Lecture Section 010 (16306)

ENGLISH 3264 
Monsters Without and Within

Storytellers have long used monsters not only to frighten us but also to jolt us into thinking deeply about ourselves, others, and the world we live in. This course examines how various horror genres use monsters to explore issues of wellbeing and citizenship, and debates about race, gender, sexual orientation, mental health, social justice, and personal responsibility. Prereq: Completion of GE Foundation Writing and Information Literacy course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld and health and well-being course. ENGLISH 3264: Lecture Section 0030 (28216)

HEBREW 2241H 
Culture of Contemporary Israel

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: Honors standing, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 2241 (241), 241H, JewshSt 2242, or 2242H. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in JewshSt 2242H. Lecture Section 10 (35623)

HEBREW 3245 
Israeli Film & Society

A survey of Israeli films from 1948 to the present day, tracing the development of film production in Israel as well as the relationship between film and society. Prereq: English 1110. Not open to students with credit for 2245 or JewshSt 2245 or 3245. GE VPA and diversity global studies course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. Cross-listed in JewshSt. HEBREW 3245: Lecture Section 10 (35634) 

HEBREW 2700 
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament is taught from a historical perspective. The HB/OT is a collection of texts designed to create and fortify the ethnic identity of a single group within imperial contexts, while focusing on the formation of gender identity and race. The student will study the cultural dimensions of the ancient societies in which the HB/OT was written. Prereq: English 1110.xx, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. Not open to students with credit for 2700H, JewshSt 2700, or 2700H. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross-listed in JewshSt. HEBREW 2700: Lecture Section 10 (35633)

HEBREW 3704 
Women in the Bible and Beyond

An examination of the social, legal, and religious position of women as they appear in the Hebrew Bible and the ways in which they have been represented and interpreted in later textual, visual, and audio sources. Prereq: English 1110. Not open to students with credit for 2704, JewshSt 2704, or 3704. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross-listed in JewshSt. HEBREW 3704: Lecture Section 10 (27040)

HISTORY 2221 
Introduction to the New Testament: History and Literature

Introductory survey of the New Testament writings in translation, including non-canonical sources of the early Christian movement. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, GE foundation writing and info literacy course, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 2221E, Clas 2221, 2221E, 2401, or 2401E. GE for lit and historical study course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in Clas.

HISTORY 2350 
Islam, Politics, and Society in History

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, GE foundation writing and info literacy course, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for Islam 2350. GE historical study course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in Islam. HISTORY 2350: Lecture Section 0010 (26620) 

HISTORY 3215 
Sex and Gender in the Ancient World

Introductory survey of women, gender, and sexual relations in the ancient Mediterranean world, especially Greece and Rome. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for Clas 3215. GE historical study and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross-listed in Clas. HISTORY 3215: Lecture Section 10 (27015)

HISTORY 2353 
The Middle East Since 1914

An introductory study of the political, social and cultural history and evolution of Islamic civilization since 1914. The course will examine the impact of outside power on the Middle East, as well as the region's responses to modernity; political, socioeconomic and cultural change; ideological strategy; Islamic identity and globalization; and changes in media of communication. 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 3358. GE historical study course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. HISTORY 2353: Lecture Section 10 (35556)

HISTORY 2453 
History of Zionism and Modern Israel

A history of the Jewish state from the rise of Zionism to the present, with a focus on migration and displacement. Topics include: Jewish-Arab relations, the encounter between European and Middle Eastern Jews, the creation of a new Hebrew identity, the impact of the Holocaust, ethnic conflict and social protest, war and diplomacy, religion and the state and struggles over the nature of the regime. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for JewshSt 2453. GE historical study course. GE theme migration, mobility, and immobility course. Cross-listed in JewshSt. HISTORY 2453: Lecture Section 10 (28184)

HISTORY 3218 
Paul & His Influence in Early Christianity

Survey of the life and thought of the apostle Paul in translation, and his influence on the formation of Christianity. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, GE foundation writing and info literacy course, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for Clas 3407. GE lit course and historical study course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and historical and cultural studies course. HISTORY 3218: Lecture Section 10 (35441)

HISTORY 3355 
The Early Islamic Conquests (CE 630-750)

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 Islam 3355. GE historical study and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in Islam. HISTORY 3355: Lecture Section 10 (28849)

HISTORY 3480 
Israel/Palestine: History of the Present

The course will enable students to reflect on the ways in which the past informs interpretations of the present and the ways in which the present informs interpretations of the past. The course will adopt a broad definition of the "present", investigating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict primarily against the background of the collapse of the Oslo peace process in the early 2000s. 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 JewshSt 3480. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. Cross-listed with JewshSt. HISTORY 3480: Lecture Section 10 (28115)

HISTORY 3231 
Creating Medieval Monsters: Constructions of the "Other"

This course examines the development of a persecuting society in medieval Europe and explores the various ways that minorities were demonized (literally turned into "monsters") in the medieval discourse and artwork in order to create a strong sense of unity within Christendom, with a specific focus on Jews, lepers, Muslims, religious non-conformists, sexual nonconformists, and women. GE historical study and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course. HISTORY 3231: Lecture Section 10 (37359)

HISTORY 3312 
Africa & World War II

This course will focus on the oft-neglected African dimension of WWII. The course will explore the importance of Africans as soldiers and producers; the effects of WWII on class, race, and gender relations within the continent; and the importance of WWII in provoking crises in colonial empires and transforming the nature of political mobilization across the African continent. Prereq: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. GE historical study course. HISTORY 3312: Lecture Section 0020 (27953)

HISTORY 4375 
Seminar in Islamic History

Advanced research and readings on selected topics in Islamic History. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, a grade of C or above in History 2800, and any 3000-level History course; or permission of instructor. HISTORY 4375: Seminar Section 10 (35555)

ISLAM 5701 
The Qur'an in Translation

An introduction, in English, to the literary, religious, and cultural implications of the fundamental book of Islam. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Arabic 5701. ISLAM 5701: Lecture Section 10 (27036)

ISLAM 3501 
Introduction to Islam

Examination of Islam as a world religion, enabling an understanding of its major tenets and beliefs as they are envisioned by insiders and outsiders. Prereq: English 1110. Not open to students with credit for NELC 3501. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. ISLAM 3501: Lecture Section 10 (35644)

ISLAM 3355 
The Early Islamic Conquests (CE 630-750)

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. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in History. ISLAM 3355: Lecture Section 10 (28627). 

ISLAM 2350 
Islam, Politics, and Society in History

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, GE foundation writing and info literacy course, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 2350. GE historical study course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in History. ISLAM 2350: Lecture Section 10 (27789)

ISLAM 5701 
The Qur'an in Translation

An introduction, in English, to the literary, religious, and cultural implications of the fundamental book of Islam. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Arabic 5701. ISLAM 5701: Lecture Section 10 (27035)

ISLAM 3201 
Muslims in America and Europe: Citizenship and Living Between Worlds

What does it mean to live as modern Muslims in western societies? How do they cope with prejudice, Islamophobia, traditions, integration, war, migration, and new opportunities? We explore the experiences of religious minorities in the U.S. and Europe for Muslims whose families are originally from the Arab world, Iran, South Asia, Turkey, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for NELC 3201. GE soc sci indivs and groups and diversity soc div in the US course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. ISLAM 3201: Lecture Section 10 (28628)

JEWSHST 2700 
Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament is taught from a historical perspective. The HB/OT is a collection of texts designed to create and fortify the ethnic identity of a single group within imperial contexts, while focusing on the formation of gender identity and race. The student will study the cultural dimensions of the ancient societies in which the HB/OT was written. Prereq: English 1110.xx, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. Not open to students with credit for 2700H, Hebrew 2700, or 2700H. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross-listed in Hebrew. JEWSHST 2700: Lecture Section 10 (25459)

JEWSHST 2242H 
Culture of Contemporary Israel

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: Honors standing, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 2242, Hebrew 2241 (241), or 2241H (241H). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in Hebrew 2241H. JEWSHST 2242H: Lecture Section 10 (35624)

JEWSHST 2201 
Introduction to Jewish Culture, Thought, and Practice

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. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. JEWSHST 2201: Lecture Section 10 (28626)

JEWSHST 3704 
Women in the Bible and Beyond

An examination of the social, legal, and religious position of women as they appear in the Hebrew Bible and the ways in which they have been represented and interpreted in later textual, visual, and audio sources. Prereq: English 1110. Not open to students with credit for 2704, Hebrew 2704, or 3704. GE lit and diversity global studies. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross-listed in Hebrew. JEWSHST 3704: Lecture Section 10 (37749)

JEWSHST 2453 
History of Zionism and Modern Israel

A history of the Jewish state from the rise of Zionism to the present, with a focus on migration and displacement. Topics include: Jewish-Arab relations, the encounter between European and Middle Eastern Jews, the creation of a new Hebrew identity, the impact of the Holocaust, ethnic conflict and social protest, war and diplomacy, religion and the state and struggles over the nature of the regime. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for History 2453. GE historical study course. GE theme migration, mobility, and immobility course. Cross-listed in History. JEWSHST 2453: Lecture Section 10 (29162)

JEWSHST 3480 
Israel/Palestine: History of the Present

The course will enable students to reflect on the ways in which the past informs interpretations of the present and the ways in which the present informs interpretations of the past. The course will adopt a broad definition of the "present", investigating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict primarily against the background of the collapse of the Oslo peace process in the early 2000s. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, GE foundation writing and info literacy course, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 3480. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. Cross-listed with History. JEWSHST 3480: Lecture Section 10 (29163)

JEWSHST 3245 
Israeli Film & Society

A survey of Israeli films from 1948 to the present day, tracing the development of film production in Israel as well as the relationship between film and society. Prereq: English 1110. Not open to students with credit for 2245 or Hebrew 2245 or 3245. GE VPA and diversity global studies course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. Cross-listed in Hebrew. JEWSHST 3245: Lecture Section 10 (35635)

NELC 2200 
Introduction to the Modern Middle East

This course presents students with a multidisciplinary analysis of diversity and change in the modern Middle East. The ultimate goal of the course is to provide students with an enlarged perspective of the political, economic, social and theological issues in the Middle East and its diaspora, with close attention to diverse social categories such as race, religion, gender and ethnicity. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for IntStds 2200. GE soc sci orgs and polities and diversity global studies course. GE foundation social and behavioral sci and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross-listed in IntStds. NELC 2200: Lecture Section 10 (35649)

NELC 3111 
Ancient Empires

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. NELC 3111: Lecture Section 10 (36417) 

POLITSC 4318 
The Politics of International Terrorism

Examines international terrorism's concepts and actors, the motivations and causes of terrorism, the experience of the United States, and tensions between freedoms and security. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 548. POLITSC 4318: Lecture Section 10 (20466)

RELSTDS 3667 
Messages from Beyond: Divination, Prophecy, and the Occult in Religion and Culture

In this course, we will explore how people from antiquity to our time have sought to find meaning in the complexity and uncertainty around their physical and social environment to access what they perceived as hidden realms as sources of meaning. Students will learn how messages from beyond guide their daily lives, provide them with sources of authority or companionship for their art of philosophy. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for NELC 3667. GE theme lived environments course. Cross-listed in NELC. RELSTDS 3667: Lecture Section 10 (27776)

RELSTDS 3671 
Religions of India

History and structure of South Asian religions with attention to myth, ritual, art, philosophy, and social stratification. 2370 recommended. Prereq: English 1110 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for CompStd 3671 or SAsia 3671. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in SAsia. RELSTDS 3671: Lecture Section 10 (37092)

SASIA 3625 
Understanding Bollywood, Knowing India: Hindi Cinema Since 1960

Explores life in India from the lens of Hindi language cinema. Course engages with social class, gender, sexuality, Indian diaspora in the West, family structure, marriage, politics, caste, language (special focus on multilingualism in India), religion, and globalization, and how these relate to lived experiences of people in Indian society. Not for Film Studies credit. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for NELC 3625, 3625.01, or 3625.02. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. SASIA 3625: Lecture Section 10 (27048) 

SASIA 3025 
Citizenship and Diaspora: Living in Between Countries and Cultures

This course examines histories, lived experiences, and artistic representations of citizenship and diaspora. Over the course of the semester, we will focus on South Asia, specifically India/Pakistan, and the Middle East, specifically Israel/Palestine, two societies in which citizenship and diaspora have been particularly significant and complex, as well as diasporic communities in the US. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for NELC 3025. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course, High-Impact Practice Interdisciplinary and Integrated Collaborative Teaching. Cross-listed in NELC. SASIA 3025: Lecture Section 10 (35652)

SASIA 3220 
Citizenship in South Asia

By way of examining literature, historical accounts, primary writings from known historical figures, and contemporary Indian film, this course engages students with a look at how citizenship is imagined in nation states, how it was imagined in colonial India, and how it is manifest in post-colonial South Asia. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. SASIA 3220: Lecture Section 10 (28782)

SASIA 3635 
Desi Diaspora: South Asians in the United States

This course is designed as a multi-disciplinary introduction to communities with South Asian heritage who live in the United States of America. The material for the class centers on the South Asian diaspora in the US. The class aims to teach students the connections between diasporas, identities, nationalism, citizenship, and if diasporic communities? have lived experiences that are unique. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. SASIA 3635: Lecture Section 10 (37694)

SASIA 2230 
Living Everyday Lives: Systems of Discrimination in the United States and South Asia

The course shows how everyday life in South Asia where caste is a category of oppression compares to everyday life in the United States where race is a category of oppression. Everyday life will also introduce students to how race and caste as categories of oppression interact with gender and ethnicity in the United States and South Asia. GE foundation race, ethnicity and gender div course. SASIA 2230: Lecture Section 10 (27047)

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)

TURKISH 3797 
Global Intercultural Citizenship in the Middle East: Turkey

The course offers a collaborative online international learning (COIL) virtual education abroad experience that includes immersive opportunities such as virtual reality visits to important sites, online conversations and collaborations with students at a university in the Middle East, and workshops and demonstrations with local scholars and artists. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course, High-Impact Practice Global and Intercultural Learning: Abroad, Away, or Virtual. TURKISH 3797: Lecture Section 10 (28848)