HIST 3801/IAFF 3904 The Middle East Since 1945: A History of the Present

Adina Friedman

Mon 7:10 – 9:00 PM

This seminar explores some of the key political, cultural, social, and economic transformations in the Middle East and North Africa since WWII. We will focus on how the violence of colonialism and decolonization, the homogenizing imperative of the nation-state, external intervention, and the fight to control the region’s oil resources have impeded popular struggles for freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and social justice. Geographically, we will focus on the successor states of the Ottoman Arab mashriq (east): Egypt, Palestine (Israel after 1948), Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. We will also touch on Algeria and Iran. This course will not be primarily lecture-style; rather, while it will include presentations by the professor, it will rely heavily on student participation. We will hold discussions of themes and readings, do in-class smaller group work, watch occasional video clips, and enjoy presentations by one or two guest speakers. Students should come to class prepared, and ready to engage with the subject/s and with one another. Taught Spring 2025.

Mon 7:10 – 9:00 PM

IAFF 3352 Israeli-Palestinian Peacebuilding

Edward Lazarus

Thu 12:45 – 3:15 PM

What are the roots of the current war in the Middle East? Why does the Israeli-Palestinian conflict persist, despite peace efforts by heads of state, civil society organizations and ordinary citizens? What strategies can be effective in future attempts at conflict resolution? This course provides detailed analysis of the historical origins of the conflict and of Palestinian/Israeli peace and conflict resolution efforts at all levels - state, civil society, and grassroots. Drawing on conceptual frameworks from Conflict Resolution theory and practice, the course employs a dual-narrative approach in examining Israeli and Palestinian historical perspectives on the conflict and on negotiations and peacebuilding initiatives at state, civil society and grassroots levels. Students will be challenged to conduct research on the core issues at the heart of the impasse, and to assess the contributions of peace and conflict resolution initiatives to any potential future resolution. Course materials will include film, literature, media, and online resources as well as conversations with practitioners and scholars of the field. Taught Spring 2025.

Thu 12:45 – 3:15 PM

IAFF 6378 Arabic for Humanitarian and Development Professionals

Khalil Derbel

Wed 5:10 – 7:00 PM

This course equips students with the necessary linguistic and cultural tools to pursue successful careers in the Foreign Service, public sector, private or international organizations specializing in humanitarian assistance and international development. Besides helping students to develop their communicative abilities and advance their skills in Arabic for humanitarian assistance and international development, this course trains students within the contexts in which these efforts are carried out in formal and informal settings. This course is intended for students at the Intermediate High level of proficiency and focuses on promoting proficiency in speaking, reading, listening, and writing, as well as acquiring specialized terms pertaining to humanitarian work and international development. Prerequisite: Advanced Arabic (ARAB 3001) or equivalent. Taught Spring 2025.

Wed 5:10 – 7:00 PM

PSC 2993/ IAFF 6489 Politics of Modern Iran

Sina Azodi

Thu 5:10 – 7:00 PM

Iran stands as one of the world's oldest civilizations, with a historical lineage extending from the Achaemenids and Sassanians to the Safavids and the Islamic Republic. This course provides an in-depth investigation of the politics of modern Iran, spanning from the ascendancy of the Shiia-Safavid Empire to the demise of the Pahlavi Dynasty and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Through a comprehensive examination of major historical and political episodes, students will gain a nuanced understanding of the evolving socio-political landscape that has shaped Iran's contemporary statehood. The aim of this course is to familiarize students with important episodes, unique characteristics, and the making of modern Iran and how those characteristics influence Iran’s view of itself and its foreign and security policies. Taught Spring 2025.

Thu 5:10 – 7:00 PM

ARAB 4002 Arabic Narratives Through the Ages

Jennifer Tobkin

Mon 12:45 – 2:00 PM

Wed 12:45 – 2:00 PM

Reading and discussion of diachronic narratives in texts, such as those found in stories of The Thousand and One Nights, or travel adventures, such as those of Ibn Battuta and his successors. Prerequisites: ARAB 3301 or permission of the instructor. Taught Spring 2025.

Mon 12:45 – 2:00 PM

Wed 12:45 – 2:00 PM

IAFF 3188 Islam, Drugs, and Empire

Joel Blecher

Wed 1:00 – 2:20 PM

Wine, opium, hashish, tobacco, and coffee—this discussion-intensive seminar surveys the political, social, economic, and religious history of drugs in the Islamic world from the time of Muhammad to the dawn of modernity, and introduces students to the emerging interdisciplinary field of the plant humanities. Case studies will focus on the Middle East, but will span comparatively from Muslim Spain to South East Asia. Themes to be discussed include: religious identity, conquest and colonialism, law, mysticism, medicine, sociability and leisure, and globalization. The course fulfills the History Department requirement for a Major’s Introductory Seminar for the Middle East as well as credit for Writing-in-the-Disciplines (WID). To that end, students’ will submit short writing assignments weekly as well as mid-term and end-of-term research papers that will be presented for peer review and workshopped before submission. Taught Spring 2025.

Wed 1:00 – 2:20 PM

IAFF 3188 Anthropology of Islam

Attiya Ahmad

Tue 3:45 – 5:00 PM

Thu 3:45 – 5:00 PM

This course provides an introduction to the anthropology of Islam, a realm of scholarly inquiry that is related but not reducible to socio-cultural anthropology, Islamic studies, regional studies (including but not limited to Middle East Studies), ethnic studies, postcolonial studies, and work on globalization and transnationalism. We begin by examining early anthropological works seeking to ascertain how to approach Islam and Muslim pieties as an object of study. How are scholars to examine continuities and differences among Muslim societies across space and time? How significant is Islam to the nature of these societies, and can Islam be approached in ways similar to other religions traditions? What methods and scholarly training are best suited to examine Muslim societies and Islamic traditions? We then turn our attention to major concepts and issues that scholars foreground in their examination of contemporary Muslim societies, including questions of power, agency, ethics, the imaginary, authority, transnational networks, and gender. We end the semester by examining Islam in our post-9/11 era by engaging works that interrogate international forms of hegemony and power, Islam in/of America, Islamophobia, anti-Muslim racism and violence, and Muslim cosmopolitan world-making post past and present. Taught Spring 2025.

Tue 3:45 – 5:00 PM

Thu 3:45 – 5:00 PM

IAFF 3188 Israeli Society and Politics

Edward Lazarus

Tue 12:45 – 3:15 PM

What are the roots of the crisis of governance that in 2023 provoked the largest protest movement in Israeli history? Why does Israel hold elections more than any country with a comparable system? How have Israelis responded socially and politically to the current war? This course will provide a detailed portrait of contemporary Israeli society and politics, tracing the evolution of ethnic, ideological, religious, and socioeconomic divisions – Arab/Jewish, Religious/Secular, Right/Left, Center/Periphery among others - and their expression in parliamentary politics and social movements. The course will equip students to link today’s political parties and blocs with social constituencies and defining issues, highlighting the complex social dynamics underlying chronic political instability and their implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and regional diplomacy. The course will conclude with a role-play simulation of Israeli parliamentary politics in which students will represent coalition and opposition parties debating controversial legislation. Taught Spring 2025.

Tue 12:45 – 3:15 PM

IAFF 3188/PSC 6478 International Relations of the Middle East

Sina Azodi

Mon 2:20 – 3:35 PM

Wed 2:20 – 3:35 PM

Special topics in International Affairs and Middle East Studies. Taught Spring 2025.

Mon 2:20 – 3:35 PM

Wed 2:20 – 3:35 PM

IAFF 3188 Arabic Literature: Arabia to America

Corey Jorgensen

Mon 11:10 AM – 12:25 PM

Wed 11:10 AM – 12:25 PM

This course will introduce Arabic literature beginning in the sixth century and continuing into the modern era. We will read selections in translation from representative works of Arabic literature from many different genres including classical love, praise, boast and lampoon poetry. We will also read selections from Arabic stories and anecdotes, advice literature, the modern Arabic novel and modern poetry. In addition, we will explore the Qur’an and its influence on the Arabic literary tradition. We will treat Arabic literature not as a static text frozen in time, but as part of a living tradition, with an emphasis on its performance, reception and cultural impact. Students will study Arabic literature in its relationship to other world literatures, and will be encouraged to explore parallels between it and other works of literature. All texts are in English. There are no prerequisites. Taught Spring 2025.

Mon 11:10 AM – 12:25 PM

Wed 11:10 AM – 12:25 PM