Arabic

ARAB 1020 Elementary Arabic 

Introduction to the sound and writing systems of Arabic, including basic sentence structure and morphological patterns. A combination of the direct, audio-lingual, proficiency-based, and translation methods is used. The format consists of classroom discussions of a certain grammatical point followed by intensive practice. Prerequisite: ARAB 1010 or equivalent.

ARAB 2020 Intermediate Arabic 

Continues training in modern standard Arabic, with emphasis on speaking, comprehension, writing, and reading. The method of teaching primarily follows the proficiency-based approach to language learning. Prerequisite: for ARAB 2010: ARAB 1020 or equivalent, or instructor permission; for ARAB 2020: ARAB 2010 or equivalent, or instructor permission.

ARAB 2060 Accelerated Intermediate Arabic II

This course is for students with native or near-native speaking ability in Arabic, but with reading and writing ability equivalent to ARAB 1020. The course focuses on reading and writing Arabic. The goals of this course are to help students: (a) achieve a basic level of reading competency with rich vocabulary; (b) express themselves clearly in written Arabic on a variety of topics using learned grammar patterns and vocabulary. This course fulfills the college language requirement.

ARAB 2250 Conversational Arabic 

Introduces students to spoken Arabic, with oral production highly emphasized. Prerequisite: ARAB 2020 or equivalent, or instructor permission.

ARAB 3020 Advanced Arabic II 

The goal of this course is to increase the student's knowledge of the Arabic language and culture via a communicative-based approach, meaning that though the students will be expected to learn grammatical structures emphasis will be placed on the functional usage of the language and on communication in context. Prerequisites: ARAB 3010 or equivalent, or instructor permission.

ARAB 3259 Advanced Arabic for Business 

The course aims to provide advanced training in developing linguistic and communicative skills in business Arabic. The business topics cover data & communication, finance, insurance, law & contract, research & production, marketing, transport, travel, meetings, and conferences. Instructor permission.

ARAB 4020 Advanced Arabic IV 

The main goal at this stage is to reach a superior level of Modern Standard Arabic with due attention paid to all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing in addition to culture. Acquisition of more advanced grammatical structures will take place primarily through directed in-class drilling, coupled with an emphasis on the functional use of language through communication in context.

ARAB 4120 Introduction to Arabic Drama 

This course introduces students to modern Arabic drama from the early pioneers' period in the 20th century to the contemporary era. We will study different forms of this genre including: musicals, traditional, experimental, feminist, and social drama. Further, students become acquainted with different schools of modern Arabic literary criticism and learn to analyze dramatic texts using critical analysis and specific theoretical terminology. Prerequisites: ARAB 5830 or 5840, or instructor's permission.

ARAB 5420 Advanced Arabic IV 

This course focuses on reading texts in Modern Standard Arabic of different genres.

ARAB 7120 Introduction to Arabic Drama 

This course introduces students to modern Arabic drama from the early pioneers' period in the 20th century to the contemporary era. We will study different forms of this genre including: musicals, traditional, experimental, feminist, and social drama. Further, students become acquainted with different schools of modern Arabic literary criticism and learn to analyze dramatic texts using critical analysis and specific theoretical terminology. Prerequisites: ARAB 5830 or 5840, or instructor's permission.

Arabic in Translation

No courses offered this semester

Hebrew

HEBR 1020 Introduction to Modern Hebrew II

Prerequisite: HEBR 1010.

HEBR 2020 Intermediate Modern Hebrew 

Prerequisite: HEBR 1020 with grade of C or above, or instructor permission.

HEBR 2420 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II 

Readings in the poetry of the Hebrew Bible. Emphasizes grammar, vocabulary, and poetics. Attention to issues of translation and interpretation. Prerequisite: HEBR/RELJ 2410 or the equivalent

HEBR 4993 Independent Study in Hebrew 

Independent study for advanced students of Hebrew. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

HEBR 8993 Independent Study in Hebrew

Students whose proficiency in Modern Hebrew has already reached the advanced level, or alternatively students who for their research focus on Hebrew Literature in translation, will pursue an independent study that will focus on the reading and interpretation of texts, as well as the analysis of media. Prerequisite: HEBR 3010

Hindi

HIND 1020 Elementary Hindi-Urdu

Prerequisite: HIND 1010.

HIND 1310 Intensive Hindi Script and Grammar Review for Heritage Students

This class is designed to introduce and improve all aspects of the Hindi language. We learn the script in detail and learn enough grammar for students to move on to Intermediate or Advanced Hindi. Most course material will be handouts specially designed for this class and online listening materials.

HIND 2020 Intermediate Hindi 

Prerequisite: HIND 2010 or equivalent.

HIND 3012 Learn Hindi with Hindi Cinema

This course uses Bollywood cinema as course material to learn more about the culture related to Hindi, expand your Hindi language skills, and make you competent to use Hindi even more efficiently. This course emphasizes individual learning styles and preferences and advances all the aspects of the Hindi Language. We explore how language and culture are interrelated with the help of some Bollywood movies.

HIND 4993 Independent Study in Hindi 

Independent Study in Hindi

Middle Eastern & South Asian Languages & Cultures

MESA 2430 Sadaqah and Seva: MESA Superheroes

This course offers a semester-long study of Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian representation and racialization in American popular culture via the superhero genre. Engaging with visual media (comics, television, film), creator talks and interviews, and academic writing, we will think critically about how people and ideas travel across borders.

MESA 3270 A History of Astrology 

In this course we will examine the history of astrology, as both a body of knowledge and a process of discovery, from the ancient to the contemporary periods. Astrology played a significant, albeit underappreciated, role in the making of ancient and medieval societies. We will consider astrology's early global status as a science with immutable laws, and its 17th-century designation as a pseudo-science in Western thought.

MESA 3640 Israel/Palestine on Film: Historical Perspectives from ME/SA

How do we know what we know, and why do we feel what we feel, about Israel/Palestine? This course challenges us to reflect on this question by offering key perspectives on both the modern history of Palestine/Israel, on the one hand; and the modern history of film, on the other, through a unique set of "outsider" films about Israel/Palestine from across the Middle East and South Asia.

MESA 4991 From Method to Practice: Research Workshop in and Across Areas

The purpose of this course is to provide students with guidance in developing their undergraduate capstone projects. The initial portion of the course will be heavy on readings, while the latter portion will be structured as a series of hands-on workshops that draw on the insights of the earlier readings, in order to guide students through a semester-long research project of their choosing.

MESA 4993 Independent Study 

Independent study in a special field under the direction of a faculty member in MESALC. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

MESA 4998 Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies Senior Thesis

Thesis research under the direction of a MESALC faculty member serving as thesis advisor and a second faculty member serving as second reader. The second faculty member may be from outside MESALC. Prerequisite: DMP major and instructor permission.

MESA 4999 Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies Senior Thesis II 

Thesis composition under the direction of a MESALC faculty member serving as thesis advisor and a second faculty member serving as second reader. The second faculty member may be from outside MESALC. Prerequisite: DMP major and instructor permission.

MESA 7991 From Method to Practice: Research Workshop in and Across Areas

The purpose of this course is to provide students with guidance in developing their graduate research projects. The initial portion of the course will be heavy on readings, while the latter portion will be structured as a series of hands-on workshops that draw on the insights of the earlier readings, in order to guide students through a semester-long research project of their choosing.

MESA 8993 Independent Study II 

Independent Study II

MESA 8995 MA Research Seminar 

Required course for all candidates for the Master of Arts in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies. During this course the final paper, required for the MA, is written. Includes instruction in research methodology, data analysis and a history of academic research on these areas.

Middle Eastern Studies

MEST 2270 Culture and Society of the Contemporary Arab Middle East

Introduces the cultural traits and patterns of contemporary Arab society based on scholarly research, recent field work, and personal experiences and observations in the Arab world. Taught in English; no knowledge of Arabic is required.

MEST 3232 No Foul- No Game: Sports, Nationality, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 

This course reviews key milestones of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict throughout the lends of competitive sports in the MENA regions and in Israel in particular. The course examines sports¿ role in reflecting socio-political divisions of religion, gender, class and representation struggles, while serving political interests as part of culture and identity building, as well as its utilization as a platform for ethno-nationalist violence.

MEST 3282 The Ottoman Empire: State, Society, Culture

In this course, we will examine the history of the Ottoman Empire through social, political and cultural changes and transformations. We will do this through concepts and phenomena such as state and empire formation, capitalism, class struggle, imperialism, colonialism, orientalism, nationalism, nation-building, patriarchy, and ethnic engineering. We will discuss each period and theme within a global framework.

MEST 3491 Native Translation: Palestinian Voices in Contemporary Israel 

This course provides a close look at Palestinian cultural and literary production within the State of Israel. Muslim and Christian Palestinian citizens of Israel. With the support of region-specific theory, and through a continuous engagement with (the English translation of) literature, music, film, spoken word, visual art, political speeches, and newspaper articles, you will develop a critical understanding of the multifaceted, contemporary manifestation of Palestinian voices in Israel.

MEST 5270 Culture & Society of Contemp. Arab Mid. East

This course will address some of the religious, socio-political, and historical factors that have contributed to the shaping of the Arab Middle East and Arab identity(s) in the modern age. From the rise of Islam in the 7th century A.D., to the Ottoman Empire, to the colonial remapping of the Middle East during the period of the two World Wars,to the Gulf and Iraq wars, this course will help students gain an understanding of modern Arab culture.

PERS 1020 Elementary Persian 

Introductory language sequence focusing on reading, writing, comprehending, and speaking modern Persian through audio-lingual methods. Persian grammar is introduced through sentence patterns in the form of dialogues and monologues. Prerequisite: PERS 1010 or equivalent, or instructor permission.

PERS 2020 Intermediate Persian 

Each course focuses on the development of reading, writing, and speaking skills. Special attention is paid to reading comprehension using selections from classical and modern Persian prose and poetry, preparing students for advanced studies in Indo-Persian language and literature. Prerequisite: PERS 1020 or equivalent, or instructor permission.

PERS 3020 Advanced Persian

The goal of this course is to increase student's efficiency in reading modern texts; ranging from literary prose fiction to news media excerpts, to poetry. although the students will be expected to learn grammatical structures emphasis will be placed on the functional usage of the language and on communication in context. Prerequisites: Persian 3010 or instructor's permission.

PERS 4993 Independent Study in Persian

Independent study for advanced students of Persian. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Persian in Translation

PETR 3131 Love, Lust, and the Divine in Persian Literature 

This course aims to introduce students to Persian literature's contribution to global humanism through poetry and poetics. We'll explore how Persian romance novels in verse (masnavi) engage with themes like love, desire, beauty, and the Divine, and how these themes intersect with gender, religion, society, ethics, womanhood, and leadership. The main focus will be the narrative content, the poets' arguments, and the issues they raise.

PETR 3380 Learning from Animals: Ethics in Medieval Persian Literature

The course focuses on two key twelfth-century texts: Nasrullah Munshi's Kalila and Dimna (translated by Wheeler Thackston), a collection of animal fables--featuring lions, jackals, elephants, hares, tortoises, snakes, ducks, and even ants--rooted in Indian and Persian moral traditions; and Farid ud-Din Attar's The Conference of the Birds (translated by Afkham Darbandi and Dick Davis), a Sufi allegory exploring the soul's journey. 

PETR 7131 Love, Lust & the Divine in Persian Literature

This course aims to introduce you to Persian literature's contribution to global humanism through poetry and poetics. We'll explore how Persian romance novels in verse (masnavi) engage with themes like love, desire, beauty, and the Divine, and how these themes intersect with gender, religion, society, ethics, womanhood, and leadership.

PETR 7380 Learning from Animals: Ethics in Medieval Persian Literature

In this course, we¿ll explore how Persian literature---especially in allegorical and narrative forms like the masnavi---addresses themes such as virtue, justice, empathy, and self-knowledge. The focus will be on two key twelfth-century texts: Nasrullah Munshi¿s Kalila and Dimna (translated by Wheeler Thackston), a collection of animal fables---featuring lions, jackals, elephants, hares, tortoises, snakes, ducks, and even ants---rooted in Indian and Persian moral traditions. 

Sanskrit

SANS 1020 Elementary Sanskrit II 

A continuation of SANS 1010. Prerequisite: SANS 1010. Note: The following six courses are all intermediate level Sanskrit courses. They are offered two-by-two in a three-year rotation.

SANS 3024 Selections from the Upanisads

A second-year course focusing on developing reading fluency in Sanskrit. Selections are chosen to reinforce student's knowledge of grammar from SANS 1020/5020, to expand vocabulary, and to introduce the Upanisads, a major spiritual text of ancient India. Prerequisite: SANS 1020.

SANS 4993 Independent Study In Sanskrit 

This course is meant to give students training in advanced Sanskrit

SANS 6024 Selections from the Upanisads 

A second-year course focusing on developing reading fluency in Sanskrit. Selections are chosen to reinforce student's knowledge of grammar from SANS 5020, to expand vocabulary, and to introduce the Upanisads, a major spiritual text of ancient India. Prerequisite: SANS 5020.

SANS 8993 Independent Study in Sanskrit

Independent Study in Sanskrit.

South Asian Studies

No courses offered this semester

South Asian Literature in Translation

SATR 2110 Cultural Translation: Travel Writing in South Asia 

Travel writing is among the oldest forms of literature, especially in Asia. This course explores depictions of the Indian sub-continent by travel writers from Buddhist pilgrims to Arab geographers to colonial and post-colonial writers.

SATR 3000 Women Writing in India & Pakistan: 1947-Present

We will read and critique the fiction and poetry of culturally specific regions while reflecting on the assumption that experiences and identities are fundamentally gendered. We will explore issues associated with women writing in regional languages to writing in mainstream languages like Hindi, Urdu and English. We will also examine how the publication and dissemination of women's texts are related to the women movements in India and Pakistan. Prerequisite: Completion of First Writing Requirement

Turkish

TURK 1020 Elementary Turkish II 

Elementary Turkish 1 and 2 (TURK 101 and TURK 102) are designed to introduce basic Turkish language forms. They introduce the basic Turkish language and daily culture in modern-day Turkey. By the end of 101, students will attain the Novice High level according to ACTFL proficiency guidelines: ability to exchange greetings in appropriate settings, give basic information about self, name familiar objects.

TURK 2020 Intermediate Turkish II 

This course is the second of the two Intermediate levels of Turkish (TURK 203 and 204). It will build on students' existing basic skills. There will be a focus on communication, and students will have opportunities to practice Turkish in oral, written, and reading forms. Besides pre- recorded video lectures and audio conversations, students will explore authentic materials such as TV commercials, film trailers, and news media.

TURK 3020 Advanced Turkish II 

This advanced-level Turkish course explores the rich culinary heritage of Turkey, focusing on its diverse regions, historical influences, and the role of food in cultural identity. Students will gain an understanding of how Turkey's cuisine reflects its multicultural past and present, blending flavors from the Ottoman Empire, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.

Urdu

URDU 2020 Intermediate Urdu

Prerequisite: for URDU 2020: URDU 2010 or equivalent.

URDU 3050 Born for the Stage: A Survey of Modern Urdu Drama

In this class we will conduct close readings (in Urdu!) of several 20th-century dramas/plays, and will discuss them in detail. There will be weekly assignments, a final take-home exam, and a final video project. Prerequisite: URDU 2020 or instructor permission.

URDU 4993 Independent Study in Urdu 

Independent Study in Urdu