This course is the introductory course to the program. This course is to familiarize the students with the study of Islam by introducing them to the central texts - the Qur'an, Hadith literature (reports of the actions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad), and Sira (the biography of the Prophet)- and methodologies in studying these and other primary sources (although the course will limit its scope to translated texts, students will become aware of the vast resources that are available in Arabic). Students will also learn the mechanics of research in the field. They will become aware of the Encyclopedias, Indexes, and Journals, etc., that are available to conduct proper research in the field. Formerly IWS 100.

This course is the second of two introductory courses to the Islamic World Studies Program. Students will concentrate on the state of the field of Islam in the Academic world. Students will become grounded in the history of the field, from its beginning in the late 18th century until the present time. Students will become familiar with the most up to date theories that are at present governing the study on the rise of Islam and the sacred texts in the Western and Islamic Academia. Formerly IWS 101.

An examination of the story of Islam in the United States in three historical periods: antebellum America, the first half of the 20th century, and the latter half of the 20th century. Explores Muslim slave life; the possibilities of retentions of Islam in slave culture; the religious, social/economic, and political life of Muslims at the beginning of the 20th century; the emergence of Islamic thought in the U.S. through an overview of the works of Ismail as-Faruqi, Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Fazlur Rahman. Cross listed as REL 266.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Listening to, speaking, reading and writing Arabic in a cultural context for the beginning student.

Continued emphasis on the four skills in culturally authentic situations.

Further work on the basic elements of the Arabic language, spoken as well as written, with due regard to the cultural context of Arabic expression.