Paper #2: The Yacoubian Building. Due on Thursday, April 19

Paper 2: Discuss one of the issues presented in the book The Yacoubian Building by Alaa Al Aswany, e.g. How does the author portray Egyptian society in the 21^st century? Why do you think that the book was controversial in Egypt and the Arab World? What is the role of sexual desires and homosexuality in the novel? What are the roots of radical Muslim movements as portrayed in the book? Other topics can be: gender relations in the book; class differences; role of women in Egyptian society; police brutality and corruption in Egyptian society, etc. 

The paper must be at least 1000 words (typed, double-spaced) each, including in-text citations for all quotations, as well as a “works cited” list including all Internet sites you have used at the end of the paper, all in the proper MLA style. Please include a word count at the bottom of your essay. You MUST write out and sign the honor code at the end of your essays. You MUST submit a hard copy of your paper on the day it is due. 

  

You must use at least 3 scholarly sources (books or articles). Do not use any web resources that are not scholarly (no popular web sources such as TV stations or daily news papers). The novel itself is a primary source that you must list on your Works Cited page, but it is not a scholarly source.  Paper 2 is due on Thursday, April 19.

Extra Credit Weekly Report: "Alaa Al Aswany" or "Egyptian Literature" -Due on April 8

Extra Credit Weekly Report: "Alaa Al Aswany and his role in the revolution in Egypt." or "Egyptian Literature Today - Who is who?" Find any article on-line about one of the 2 topics and write a report on that. Due on Monday, April 9.

Reflection 6: Lecture by Dr. Leahy Due on April 5

Reflection 6 What issues did Dr. Leahy cover in her lecture?  How does that relate to the relationship of the USA to the Arab World/ Middle East? Do you agree or disagree with her characterization. Why? Why not? Explain and elaborate! Due on Thursday, April 5, by midnight  
The USA and the Arab World: 

 

http://www.economonitor.com/

 

Weekly Report 5: "The USA and the Arab World" Due on April 1

Weekly Report 5: "The USA and the Arab World" Find a recent article in any newspaper about the US involvement in the Arab World (politically, militarily, culturally, socially, whatever area is fine). The article must be from the last 2 weeks, March 20-April 1. Due on Sunday, April 1 by midnight.

 

http://ssclinguafranca.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/arab_world.gif

Reflection 5: Israel/Palestine & Fieldtrip to Washington, DC Due on March 29

Reflection 5 Consider the materials we have read about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, discussions we had in class and the lectures you heard by Professor Zaru and in the Palestine Center:  What do you think would be a just, durable and good solution to the Israeli-Palestinian problem? Make sure that you explain what you think. Reflection is due by Thursday March 29by midnight. 

Reflection 4: Guest Lecture by Dr. Boukhars. Due on March 20

Reflection 4 is about the lecture of Dr. Boukhars. Please consider what Dr. Boukhars talked about, especially how ISIS was created and what are the reasons for its rise. How did his lecture inform you about radical Islamist groups such ISIS and their ideology and theology? What did he say about the Sunni Shia divide? What political actors did he mention and what is their roles in the crisis in the Middle East and the Arab World? In the second part of his talk, he talked about the profile of the terrorists who committed the attacks in Paris and Brussels. Please summarize some of the 7-8 points he mentioned.   Due on Tuesday, March 20 by midnight.

Weekly Report 4: "Israeli-Palestinian Conflict" Due on March 25

Weekly Report 4: "Israeli-Palestinian Conflict" Find a recent article (in a newspaper from Israel or Palestine) about the latest developments in the conflict. " Due on Sunday, March 25 by midnight.

Reflection 3: Concert oby Ramzi Aburedwan. Due on March 1

Reflection 3 is about the Concert by Ramzi Aburedwan and the Dal'ouna Ensemble.

Now that you have attended a live concert by Ramzi Abu Redwan and the Dal'ouna Ensemble what is your take on an Arabic (Palestinian) music? How is what you heard and experienced different or similar to other concerts/ music you know or you are familiar with? Name a few of the instruments that the musicians used. Reflect on at least one of the pieces they played. Which one did you like the most? Why? Give concrete examples and incorporate the reading.
Elaborate on what you write and try to incorporate what you have read into your reaction.You may want to incorporate what you have read about "Music of the Middle East" into your reflection. The article is available on Bb under Course Documents. Reflection is due on Thursday, March 1 by midnight.

Weekly Report 3: Musicians of the Arab World. - Due on Feb. 28

Find information about  “Musicians of the Arab World." 
Write a report on any famous musician (dead or alive) from any country in the Arab world.  Due on Sunday, February 25, by midnight.

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/media/large/b/f/7/a956414642f535dd2e5b2d3c7928a.jpg

Reflection 2: Guest Lecture by Dr. Deveny Due on February 18

Reflection 2 is about Al-Andalus, the Islamic legacy of Spain and Dr. Deveny’s guest lecture. 

Here are some questions about the lecture by Dr. Deveny and also the readings that are due today. These questions should help you write your reflection and are meant as a guide for the midterm exam. Make sure that you spell Arabic, Spanish and other names and words correctly. You should use the list of terms that Dr. Deveny distributed in class. Just keep in mind that all of this will be part of the midterm. Reflection is due On Thursday, Feb. 18, by midnight.

• Who ruled Spain prior to 711? What groups did live there?
• Why should we study about Cordoba?
• What does make Spain interesting for us?
• Who and when did the conquest of Spain begin? Name the 2 leaders and discuss their heritage?
• Why were the Muslim armies so successful in conquering Spain?
• What is the Arabic name for Andalusia and where did it come from? What does it mean?
• When, at which battle and by whom were the Muslim armies stopped?
• Name at least 3 Spanish cities that played an important role during the Muslim rule?
• Which architectural and historic monuments do you associate with these three cities?
• What are the characteristics of Arabic-Muslim architecture found in mosques and palaces in Spain?
• Who were the Mozarabs?
• How many and what kind of books were the library in Cordoba in the 9th and 10th centuries? Why is this an amazing fact?
• In what areas did the Arabic language influence the Spanish language and culture? Give concrete examples!

 Due on Thursday, February 15 by midnight.

Weekly Report 2: “Arab and Muslim contributiont Due on Feb. 14

Find an article on-line (preferably from a newspaper from the Arab or Muslim world) about  “Arab and Muslim contributions to world civilization.” Find information on a Muslim or Arab Noble Prize winner or someone who has invented something or had a huge impact on world civilization and write a short report on this person and what her/his contributions. Due on Sunday, February 11, by midnight.

Weekly Report 1: "Syria" Due on February 4

You can submit here your weekly summary of one article you have read in one of the newspapers or magazines listed on the syllabus. Keep in mind that you ought to use a different newspaper or magazine each week. Make sure you include the Internet address (URL) of the article you have read.

The topic for this week's weekly report is "Syria." What the heck is going on there? The latest news." Find an article on any non-American newspaper (from the Middle East or Europe) about the latest developments, especially about the peace talks in Switzerland that are goun on right now, and write a summary of that article and post it on your Blog. Make sure to add the URL of the source you have used. I'll ask 2 students (randomly) to report on what they have read.

This weekly report is due on Sunday, February 4 by Midnight.

Reflection 1: Why did you choose to take this class?

Your first blog entry is a personal (subjective) reflection about the course and what you know about the Arab World. Please be as honest and direct as you can. I appreciate and respect every opinion, no matter whether I agree with you or not. Here are some questions, I want you to reflect about:

• Why did you choose to take this class?
• What are your expectations? What do you hope to get out of this class?
• Have you ever been to the Arab World? When? What did you do?
• What were your views about the Arab and Muslim world prior to 9/11?
• Did the events of September 11 change your views about Arabs and Muslims? How and why?

Image Source: http://foreignpolicyblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/arab-spring.jpg

Welcome to the Arab World - اهلا وسهلا في العالم العربي

Since 9/11 many people have lamented the lack of knowledge students and other people have about the outside world, especially the Middle East, the Arab and Muslim cultures. In ancient times, the present Middle East was the “cradle of civilization” and the birthplace of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. What is the Arab World today? It is an unknown and misunderstood world in turmoil.

This course will offer an introduction to and an overview of the history, culture, politics and current events of the Arab world in the Middle East and Africa. The students will also be introduced to the Arab-American community and its contribution to culture and politics in the United States. One integral part of the class is a weekly discussion of current events in the Arab World, i.e. the situation in Iraq, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen, US policy toward the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the US war on terrorism.

Required Books:

1. Al Aswany, Alaa. The Yacoubian Building. New York, London, ... Harper. 2002
2. Margaret K. Nydell. Understanding Arabs. A Guide for Modern Times. Boston: Intercultural Press. 4^th Edition 2006
3. Salih, Tayeb. The Doum Tree of Wad Hamid. On Blackboard under Course Documents
4. Zepp, Ira. A Muslim Primer. 2^nd edition. Fayettevile: University of Arkansas Press, 2000
5. Films and other readings can be found on Blackboard under Course Documents or are on reserve at the library.

Weekly Report 6: "Arab-Americans" or "Muslim-Americans." Due on April 22

Weekly Report 6: "Arab-Americans" or "Muslim-Americans." Please find information about an Arab-American writer/poet/actor/ athlete/politician/… and write a short biography of this person. Due on Sunday, April 22 by midnight.

Reflection 8: Final Reflection Due on May 3

In your final reflection for the course, please read your very first reflection and think about the entire semester and what you have learned. Did the course fulfill your expectations, i.e. did you achieve what you wanted? Do you have a better understanding of the Arab World? Explain. Elaborate! This is not an evaluation of the course and the professor. I am more interested in your subjective opinion about how much you learned and what you wish we would have covered more or less. Your reflection should be honest, plain and to the point. Keep in mind that I do respect and value all opinions expressed in the reflections. Due on Thursday, May 3 by midnight.