Close Encounters with the Middle East

In the west, few other cultures have evoked such strong emotions or have been so widely misunderstood as the cultures of the Middle East. In this seminar, we will explore alternative understandings of the region by examining various types of historical and contemporary narratives. Rather than focus exclusively on political events and trajectories, we will investigate social and cultural experiences of peoples in the Middle East which have emerged through the intersection of history, identity, modernity, gender relations, and popular expression. This approach allows students to become familiar with the region's inhabitants and cultures, and to think beyond the static images commonly portrayed in today's media. In this seminar we will draw on various sources including film, media, literature, music, among others, and will interpret their ongoing significance in today's world. 3 hrs. sem.