Explores the cultures and societies of the contemporary Middle East. Focuses on everyday life and practices, such as religion, social organization, art and popular culture. Uses ethnographic sources to examines the historical influence of various civilizations and religions on contemporary Middle Eastern societies from North Africa to Iran.

Explores the experience of women in the Middle East using ethnographic sources from North Africa, the Levant, Arabian Peninsula, Turkey, and Iran. Focuses on the cultural and historical influences on women's lives in this area, and the strategies Middle Eastern women use to negotiate and affect sociocultural change today.

Focused study on a specific topic from the history of World art. Formerly ART 397.

A survey of theories of geopolitics and international relations, the course explores issues of international security and organization, regional integration, and nationalism, state formation and conflict. Historic geopolitical cases from Europe (Northern Ireland, EU, Balkans), the Middle East and North Africa, and the Russian realm, provide opportunities to assess theoretical approaches and profile the security and foreign policy concerns of the U.S.in the new millennium.

A basic survey of the physical, cultural, economic, and political geography of the countries of northern Africa and Western Asia. The course traces the human geographical impacts of Arabic, Turkish, and Persian civilizations, as well as the manner in which Islam, nationalism, statehood, and global politics are shaping the region today.

Foundation of First Global Civilization (600-1100). A study of the emergence of Islam and the growth of the Islamic community from the time of the Prophet Muhammad until the end of the eleventh century. Formerly HST 223.

Sultans, Khans and Shaykhs: Medieval Islamic History (1000-1500). A survey of Muslim history from the decline of the Arab caliphate to the rise of the great gunpowder empires, addressing themes of political expansion, military slavery, devastation brought about by the twin plagues of the Mongols and the Black Death, and the growth of Islamic mysticism. Formerly HST 224.

Great Empires (1400-1920). Examines the social, cultural and economic histories of the Ottoman-Turkish, Safavid Iranian and Mughal-Indian empires which dominated the Muslim world in the crucial centuries between the end of the Mongol empire and the advent of European dominance. Formerly HST 225.

From "heresy" to "the Green Threat," this course studies the changing perceptions of Islam and the Islamic world held by those in "Western" societies from the time of the Crusades down to the contemporary era.

Variable topics. Consult course schedule for current listings.

The history of the region since 1800. Topics covered include the end of Ottoman Empire, the impact of European Imperialism and the renewal of Islam.

A general interdisciplinary survey of the social, political, and economic institutions, and the cultural history of selected regions within the African continent.

A continuation of the survey of institutions and cultural history described in 310.

A general interdisciplinary survey of the social, political, and economic institutions, and the cultural history of selected regions within West or South Asia.

A continuation of the survey of institutions and cultural history described in 320.

A study of Islam's developments in various global contexts, including Arabian beginnings, the Middle East, Central, Eastern and Western Europe, China, the former Soviet States and South Africa, with a focus on the impacts that these cultures and Islam have had on each other. Cross-listed as REL 217.

An exploration of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as they develop and interact in the Middle East, historically and in terms of contemporary religious and political issues. Includes a study of personal narratives of people from Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. Cross-listed as REL 263.

This course will deal with the idea of "reform" within Islamic political movements in the modern period. The course will analyze various Islamic reform movements such as the Wahahabis, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Modernists, the Traditionalists, seeking a pattern in these movements. Cross-listed as REL 265.

A study of the origin, transmission, and interpretation of the Qur'an. Cross listed as REL 271.

Explores major current approaches to the study of Muslim women, focusing on the Qur'anic conversation on women, on the commentaries provided by men, and on the emerging voices of Muslim women and non-Muslims. Cross-listed as REL 272.

This course will look at the various sects within Islam such as Shi'ism, Kharjism, etc. The course will also look at theological sects such as the Mu'taziliets. The course will be concerned with the history, the beliefs, and the present circumstances (if they still exist today) of these sects. Cross listed as REL 295.

Media and Islam examines the journalistic techniques and communication theories behind how mainstream U.S. news media , print, broadcast and online bring news and information about the Arab and Muslim worlds to the American public. The course pairs media pieces with academic writing to stimulate critical thinking on media coverage of 1) characterizations of Muslims and Islam, including Islamic diversity, 2) contextual links between political Islam and Western/U.S. policies in the Muslim world, 3) the concept of jihad, 4) the status of Muslim women, and 5) the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The course is presented in a three-hour, weekly seminar format and stresses reading, discussion and class participation. Written requirements are a midterm essay (assigned two weeks before due date) and a final media research paper on an approved topic of choice. There are no exams or quizzes.

This course is a brief introduction to Islamic Law and its history including case studies of its modern applications. Students will trace the history of Islamic legal theory from its beginnings until the modern period. The focus is on the early formation of theory-its major themes and arguments along with the variety of doctrines that contribute to it. Students will examine how the socio-religious realities interface with the production of legal discourse as they build on previous coursework on modern reformers and the sources of law. This course will also explore the ongoing conversations over religious faith as the basis of a legal system. Last, we transition to the contemporary period through case studies where we will consider how the case connects with or departs from these larger debates and the different contemporary methodologies and arguments used.

See schedule for current offerings.

A careful examination of Arab culture within its historical, social, and political context with in-depth analysis of the products and practices of Arab culture. Includes authentic material (video, images, and online resources) and engagement in online and in-class discussions about Arab perspectives that can be derived from these products and practices. This is a hybrid course (meets once per week onsite with students completing the rest of the required hours through online instruction, discussion, and projects). Students will receive instruction and assistance to develop the skills to work with the online portion, which includes using a social network for sharing material and discussion.

The course provides in depth examination of Media in the Arab World as a product of Arab culture. Authentic media items such as television, print, and electronic media will be analyzed within their historical, social, and political context. Major themes in Arab media such as religion, gender roles, social customs, political issues, and historical perspectives will be carefully examined to better understand Arabs, their culture, and the way they think. This is a hybrid course (meets one day onsite with students completing the rest of the required hours through online instruction, discussion, and projects). Students will receive full instruction and assistance to develop the needed skills to work with the online portion, which includes using a social network for sharing material and discussion.

A study of selected thinkers and issues from the Medieval period.

This course explores contemporary political issues in the Middle East. It includes country profiles, a review of the Arab-Israeli conflict, analysis of opposing viewpoints about the revival of Islam and about Islamic fundamentalism, and the region's position in the emerging new world order.

Advanced topics in international relations.

Advanced topics in political thought.

Advanced topics in comparative politics.

A study of Islam's developments in various global contexts, including Arabian beginnings, the Middle East, Central, Eastern and Western Europe, China, the former Soviet States and South Africa, with a focus on the impacts that these cultures and Islam have had on each other.

An exploration of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as they develop and interact in the Middle East, historically and in terms of contemporary religious and political issues. Includes a study of personal narratives of people from Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities.

This course will deal with the idea of "reform" within Islamic political movements in the modern period. The course will analyze various Islamic reform movements such as the Wahahabis, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Modernists, the Traditionalists, seeking a pattern in these movements.

A study of the origin, transmission, and interpretation of the Qur'an.

Explores major current approaches to the study of Muslim women, focusing on the Qur'anic conversation on women, on the commentaries provided by men, and on the emerging voices of Muslim women and non-Muslims.

This course will look at the various sects within Islam such as Shi'ism, Kharjism, etc. The course will also look at theological sects such as the Mu'taziliets. The course will be concerned with the history, the beliefs, and the present circumstances (if they still exist today) of these sects.

In-depth examination of selected and timely social issues. Topics vary from quarter to quarter. Topics may be initiated by students.

This course explores how Middle Eastern Women have been represented in the media outside of the Middle East, by Arab women scholars, and "Third World" feminists and challenges these representations by focusing on issues such as veiling, the everyday lives of Middle Eastern Women, political activism, literary works, economics and social class, and media representations.