This course introduces students to the main themes and tropes in contemporary Arab cultural production. Within an analytical framework, the course surveys a variety of examples from the written and cinematic culture. These include films, fiction, autobiographies, documentaries, music as well as critical articles and essays. The texts engage a wide range of topics including desire, gender, Islam, colonialism, revolution, nationalism, borders, and refugees in the modern Arabic-speaking world. Ultimately, the course seeks to provide a critical method that will enable students to study and appreciate contemporary Arab culture. Knowledge of Arabic is not required.

Extending cultural narratives of the greater Middle East region, the course will feature films and context originating in and focusing on diverse representations of Iran and Turkey as well as those of the Arab world. In-class viewing and discussion of films will highlight key aspects of both the films themselves as well as larger cultural concerns from those regions.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills