Courses on the Middle East and Surrounding Regions

ANTHROP 1101 

Archaeology and Human Diversity, Lessons from the Past 

Examines how power relations shaped racial, ethnic, and gender identities in ancient societies by examining archaeological sites like Tutankhamen's tomb, Stonehenge, Machu Pichu, and Great Zimbabwe and shows how these and other sites have been misrepresented in the media and misused by governments to promote racism and inequality. GE foundation race, ethnicity and gender div course. 

Ola Lasisi, Katie Zejdlik 

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. 

Nathan Paul Young 

ANTHROP 3400 

Contemporary Views of the Ancient Near East Orientalism, Archaeology and Nationalism 

Examines the history and impacts of Western archaeological scholarship in the Near East and explores contemporary archaeological practice. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 400. 

Joy McCorriston 

CLAS 1101 

Introduction to Classical Literature 

Introductory survey of the Greek and Roman achievement in literature and its contribution to Western thought; selected readings in English translation in major authors from Homer to Boethius. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course 

Ben Folit-Weinberg 

CLAS 2201 

Classical Civilization: Greece 

A survey of ancient Greek civilization, concentrating upon important facets of literature, history, art, and archaeology. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Classics 224. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. 

Christopher Stedman Parmenter 

CLAS 2204 

Medicine in the Ancient World 

An introduction to the theory and practice of medicine in ancient Greece and Rome. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Classics 230. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. 

Julia Nelson Hawkins 

CLAS 2205 

Sports and Spectacles in the Ancient World 

The history and social role of gymnastic and athletic competition in Greece and Rome. The evolution of their modern revivals. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Classics 250. GE cultures and ideas course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. 

Christopher Gerard Brown 

CLAS 2206 

Politics and Political Thought in the Ancient World 

An advanced overview of the governance, politics, and political thought of ancient Greece and Rome. You will trace the development of the ideals and practices of ancient democracy, oligarchy, monarchy, and citizenship within their historical contexts; and examine how some of the earliest political theory was shaped by the societies in which philosophers and theorists lived. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. 

Alan James Ross 

CLAS 2220 

Classical Mythology 

Personalities and attributes of the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, their mythology and its influence on Western culture. GE lit and diversity global studies course. GE foundation lit, vis and performing arts course. 

Sarah Iles Johnston 

CLAS 2301 

Classical Archaeology 

Introduction to the principles, methods, and history of archaeological investigation in the ancient Greek and Roman world, illustrated through a selection of major classical sites. 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 2210 or HistArt 2301. GE cultures and ideas and historical study and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in History 2210 and HistArt 2301. 

Mark David Fullerton 

CLAS 3404 

Magic in the Ancient World 

An introduction to the theory and practice of magic in the ancient Mediterranean, how people viewed it, and how it survived in later epochs. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. 

 Sarah Iles Johnston 

CLAS 7890 

Seminar on Classical Literatures and Cultures 

Graduate research seminar on topics that span across Greek and Latin (and occasionally other ancient Mediterranean) texts and cultures. Prereq: Grad standing. Repeatable to a maximum of 9 cr hrs. 

Christopher Stedman Parmenter 

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. 

COMM 3466 

Communication and Popular Culture 

Communication causes and impacts of changing technological environment where traditional differences between cultural products, folk, mass, popular, low, elite, high, knowledge, journalistic, and informational are disappearing. 

ENGLISH 2270 

Introduction to Folklore 

A general study of the field of folklore including basic approaches and a survey of primary folk materials: folktales, legends, folksongs, ballads, and folk beliefs. Prereq: 1110.01 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2270H, CompStd 2350, or 2350H. GE cultures and ideas course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course. Cross-listed in CompStd 2350. 

Rosemary Hathaway 

ENGLISH 3110  

Citizenship, Justice, and Diversity in Literatures, Cultures, and Media  

Since the beginning of the modern nation state, cultural texts (poems, novels, films, pamphlets, zines, short stories, advertisements, comics, etc.) have been the essential medium through which the discourse of citizenship has been developed, constructed, refined, and debated. In this course students examine a range of literary periods, genres, and media focused on citizenship and social justice. Prereq: Completion of GE Foundation Writing and Information Literacy course. GE theme citizenship for div and just wrld course. 

Martin Ponce

English 4587  

Studies in Asian American Literature and Culture 

Focuses on problems and themes in Asian American literature and culture from the late nineteenth century to the present. Topic varies. Examples: Asian American Literature and Popular Culture; Empire and Sexuality in Asian American Literature. Prereq: 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with 10 qtr cr hrs or 6 sem cr hrs for English 4587 (587) or CompStd 4803 (483). Repeatable to a maximum of 6 cr hrs. Cross-listed in CompStd 4803. 

Pranav Jani

English 7858 

Seminar in US Ethnic Lit and Culture 

Emphasizing a transnational approach to US Ethnic Studies, this course deploys an interdisciplinary lens to explore the histories and cultural/political interactions of African and Asian peoples across the globe. Examining histories, novels, short stories, film, poetry, essays, comedy, social media, and a variety of texts we will seek to develop a transnational understanding of racialization in the context of capitalist and imperialist modernity while paying careful attention to the specific national and social dynamics that have shaped race differently in each location. Linked histories open up hidden histories of solidarity, but also tensions -- and we will explore contemporary examples of recent Black and Palestinian movements in the US in this regard. The course seeks to complicate the dichotomy of “Whiteness” and “Blackness” that dominates US understandings of race and history – among liberals and even radicals. 

Pranav Jani

LING 3603  

Language Across Cultures  

Investigation of relationships between language and culture in different societies with a view to shedding light on cross-cultural similarities and differences. GE soc sci indivs and groups and diversity global studies course. GE theme lived environments course  

Laura Siragusa 

LING 3601  

Language, Race, and Ethnicity in the U.S.  

Objective examination of the relationship between language, race and ethnicity in the context of varieties of English used by minority ethnic and racial groups in the U.S. GE cultures and ideas and diversity soc div in the US course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course. 

Rexhina Ndoci 

PERSIAN 2241  

Persian Culture  

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. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. 

Mehrak Kamali Sarvestani 

RELSTDS 2370 

Introduction to Comparative Religion 

Introduction to the academic study of religion through comparison among major traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) and smaller communities. Prereq: English 1110 or equiv. Not open to students with credit for 2370H or CompStd 2370H or 2370. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies and race, ethnicity and gender div course.

RELSTDS 4342 

Religion, Meaning, and Knowledge in Africa and its Diaspora 

While the practice of religion in Africa is as diverse as its people, three major belief systems define the practice: African Traditional Religion, Islam, and Christianity. This course will examine classical and contemporary definitions of African Traditional Religion/s and the introduction and adaptations of Islam and Christianity in Africa, as well as religious practices in the African Diaspora. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for RelStds 4342. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE theme traditions, cultures, and transformations course. Cross-listed in AFAMAST. 

Spencer Dew 

RELSTDS 4875 

Gender, Sexuality, and Religion  

Explores intersections of gender, sexuality and religion in comparative and cross-cultural contexts. Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. Not open to students with credit for CompStd 4875 (515). 

Adam Banks 

SASIA 2220  

Introduction to South Asia Studies 

A multi-disciplinary introduction to South Asia's geographical, political, cultural, and religious contexts and connections. Prereq: English 1110, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. Not open to students with credit for CompStd 2220, or NELC 2220. GE culture and ideas and diversity global studies course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. Cross-listed in CompStd. 

Richa Jhaldiyal 

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. 

Richa Jhaldiyal 

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. 

Naomi Brenner, Ila Nagar 

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. 

Richa Jhaldiyal 

SASIA 5241 

 Interdisciplinary Approaches to South Asian Studies  

A connection of the disparate threads of the geographic and cultural entity of South Asia, offering an overview and interdisciplinary perspective on the factors that affect everyday life in the region. Prereq: English 1110, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course. Not open to students with credit for NELC 5241. GE theme traditions, cultures, and transformations course. 

Ila Nagar 

SOCIOL 2309 

Introduction to Law and Society 

Introduction to the law as a social institution, including the origins of law and its relationship to other social institutions, social control, and social change. GE foundation race, ethnicity and gender div course. 

Jaclyn Bowe, Brandon Alston 

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. 

Danielle Schoon, Tiffany Joyce Huang, Mehr Mumtaz 

THEATRE 5771.06 - International Theatre and Performance 

Advanced study of a focused international theatre history topic such as African, Spanish and Portuguese, Asian theatre, theatre masks, puppets, Irish diaspora. 

Karen Mozingo 

ARTEDUC 5675  

International Cultural Relations 

Explores cultural exchange as a policy tool of international cultural engagement, nation branding, and cultural diplomacy. Also considers international festival and exhibitions, cultural trade, and international collaboration. 

Zulal Fazlioglu Akin 

ARTEDUC5795 

This course will focus on arts, culture, cultural policy to understand the emergence and proliferation of far-right populism across Europe. Through critical analysis, students will explore how far right governments utilize cultural policy slash diplomacy as tools to advance their political agendas and shape their ideological narratives. We will investigate the underlying factors fueling the rise of populism and its repercussions on cultural and social policies, particularly in areas such as immigration, identity, de-democratization, and xenophobia 

Shoshanah Goldberg-Miller 

HA2001 

Western Art 1: Ancient & Medieval Worlds 

This course examines the history of Western Art (architecture, painting and sculpture) from the third millennium BCE through the fifteenth century CE. Rather than a complete “survey’ of that period, the course will concentrate its attention on a select group of representative monuments. We will examine not only the monuments themselves, but also the historical context in which they were produced in order to explore their purpose and the way that they functioned. There will be a strong emphasis on visual analysis and understanding how visual forms convey meaning and relate to the viewer. Our goal is to impart not only a body of knowledge but also a set of criitical tools, which you should be able to apply to even material not specifically covered in this course. GEL Diversity: Global Studies; Visual and Performing Arts; Historical Studies. GEN Foundation: Literary, Visual, & Performing Arts; Historical and Culural Studies 

HA3211: Art and Civilization in Mesopotamia  

Produced in the cradle of civilization, Mesopotamian art has a rich history of constructing monuments and creating objects that would provide insight into the lives of the people living during the advent of civilization. The aim of this course is to provide an overview of the major sites, structures, and artifacts throughout the greater Mesopotamian region from the beginning of the Neolithic revolution through the Parthian and Seleucid periods. GEL Visual and Performing Arts. GEN Foundations: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts 

ARABIC 1101.01 

Elementary Modern Standard Arabic I 

Developing the ability to use Arabic functionally and communicatively in context; intensive oral interaction with instructor and fellow students; the basics of the writing system. Classroom track. Not open to native speakers of Arabic. Prereq: Not open to students with 1101.02 or 4 cr hrs of 1101.51. This course is available for EM credit. GE for lang course. GE world languages course. 

Noor Murteza, Hekmat Dirbas 

ARABIC 1102.01 

Elementary Modern Standard Arabic II 

Developing further language ability through learning how to perform certain functions orally and using them with fellow students; reading and writing passages reflecting their abilities. Classroom track. Not open to native speakers of Arabic. Prereq: 1101.01, or 4 cr hrs of 1101.51, or Arabic Placement Level 8. Not open to students with credit for 1102.02, or 4 cr hrs of 1102.51. This course is available for EM credit. GE for lang course. GE world languages course. 

Hekmat Dirbas, Manal S Habbal 

ARABIC 1103.01 

Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic I 

Building on previously acquired functional abilities; using Arabic to express opinion and feelings; oral interaction in the classroom; reading authentic texts or various genres. Classroom track. Not open to native speakers of Arabic. Prereq: 1102.01, 1102.02, or 4 cr hrs of 1102.51. Not open to students with credit for 1103.02 or 4 cr hrs of 1103.51. This course is available for EM credit. GE for lang course. GE world languages course. 

Noor Murteza 

ARABIC 2101 

Arabic Grammar I 

Accelerated introduction to the structure of modern standard and classical Arabic: phonology, morphology, and syntax, with emphasis on development of reading comprehension skills. Closed to native speakers of this language. Prereq: 1103. 

Hekmat Dirbas 

ARABIC 2104.01 

Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic II 

Initiating and sustaining communication, reading and understanding short authentic passages, and writing to express many language functions. Regular classroom track. Not open to native speakers of Arabic. Prereq: 1103.01 or 4 credit hours of 1103.51. Not open to students with credit for 2104.02. 

Marie-Therese Labaki 

ARABIC 2112 

Colloquial Arabic II 

Continued study of the phonology and grammar of the everyday spoken language used in the Eastern Arab world. Prereq: 2111 or 4111. Not open to students with credit for 4112. 

Marie-Therese Labaki 

ARABIC 4106 

High Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic 

Continued development of language skills through reading and evaluating a variety of authentic Arabic texts and genres; writing compositions on various aspects of Arabic culture. Prereq: 3105. 

Marie-Therese Labaki 

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. 

Shurouq Ibrahim 

HEBREW 1102.01  

Elementary Hebrew II  

Reading of passages from various periods of Hebrew literature; review of salient points of elementary grammar & introduction to elements of classical Hebrew. Not open to native speakers of this language through regular course enrollment or EM credit. Prereq: 1101, or permission of instructor. This course is available for EM credit. GE for lang course. GE world languages course. 

Galit Golan 

HEBREW 2105  

Intermediate Hebrew II 

Development of communication skills in Modern Hebrew; special emphasis on using new grammatical skills in advanced forms of composition and conversation. Not open to native speakers of this language or students with EM credit. Prereq: 1103, or permission of instructor. 

Galit Golan 

PERSIAN 1102  

Elementary Persian II 

Further development of listening, writing, speaking, and reading skills; reading of simplified Persian texts. Closed to native speakers of this language. 

Mehrak Kamali Sarvestani 

PERSIAN 2104  

Intermediate Persian II  

Extensive reading from literary texts, with practice in conversation and composition. Prereq: 1103. 

Mehrak Kamali Sarvestani