Relevant Courses taught by IWI Faculty
RELI 2080 Global Islam
Ahmed al-Rahim
Global Islam traces the development of political Islamic thought from Napoleons invasion of Egypt in 1798 to the Arab Spring in 2010 and its aftermath in the Middle East.
Gibson Hall 242
TuTh 11:00am - 12:15pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=13561
RELI 5415 Introduction to Arabic and Islamic Studies
Ahmed al-Rahim
This graduate seminar provides a comprehensive survey of the subjects and areas addressed in the field of Arabic and Islamic Studies.
New Cabell Hall 066
Tu 6:00pm - 8:30pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=18791
RELI/RELJ 2024 Jewish-Muslim Relations
Jessica Andruss
Jewish and Muslim communities share a complex history of interaction, spanning from seventh-century Arabia to the present day, and including instances of collaboration as well as moments of violence. Our course examines this dynamic relationship through documentary and literary sources. We focus on points of contact between Muslims and Jews in contexts ranging from battlefields to universities, from religious discourse to international politics.
Gibson Hall 142
TuTh 12:30pm - 1:45pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=11651
RELI/RELJ 3355 Prophecy in Islam and Judaism
Jessica Andruss
Prophecy provides the theme for our comparative inquiry into two sacred scriptures (the Qur'an and the Hebrew Bible) alongside the rich traditions of Muslim and Jewish interpretive literature. We will consider narratives about specific prophets, medieval debates between and within Muslim and Jewish communities about the status and function of prophecy within their traditions, and modern theoretical approaches to prophecy
Gibson Hall 142
TuTh 9:30am - 10:45am
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=13557
RELJ 8760 Tutorial in Readings in Medieval Hebrew
Jessica Andruss
This reading course introduces students to the medieval Hebrew literary tradition and the distinctive linguistic features of Hebrew in this period. The texts under consideration will vary by semester. Scholarly articles will supplement and contextualize the Hebrew readings. Students will discuss the religious and historical significance of the passages that they prepare in advance of our sessions.
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=19901
ANTH 3020 Using Anthropology
Tessa Farmer
The theoretical, methodological and ethical practice of an engaged anthropology is the subject of this course, We begin with a history of applied anthropology. We then examine case studies that demonstrate the unique practices of contemporary sociocultural, linguistic, archaeological and bioanthropological anthropology in the areas of policy and civic engagement.
McLeod Hall 1004
MoWe 2:00pm - 3:15pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=13421
HIST 3352 The First World War
Christopher Richard Gratien
At the Great War's centennial, we take stock of how it shaped life in the 20th century for peoples around the globe. Movies, memoirs, government reports and other texts throw light on causes of the war, the human carnage of 1914-18, Woodrow Wilson's effort to end war forever with a League of Nations, the demise of liberalism and the rise of fascism and communism in postwar Europe, and the launch of anti-colonial movements in Asia and Africa.
Gibson Hall 211
TuTh 12:30pm - 1:45pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=19507
ARAB 4450 The Other in Premodern Arabic Sources
Nizar Hermes
This course explores the unduly studied corpus of Arabic writings that describes the encounters with and perception of the Other. Much effort will be devoted to investigate medieval and early modern Arab-Muslim views of the Other in a cross-generic selection of non-religious Arabic prose such as travelogues, diplomatic memoirs, captivity reports, marvels, folktales, literary debates/boasting, and poetry. Prerequisite: ARAB 3020
New Cabell Hall 038
Tu 5:00pm - 7:30pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=21125
ARAB 5559 New Course in Arabic
Nizar Hermes
This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject area of Arabic.
New Cabell Hall 038
Note: This course is combined with Arab 4450
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=21126
ARTR 3450 Global Masterpieces from the Classical Islamicate World
Nizar Hermes
The course explores the literary masterworks of some of the most celebrated prose authors of the Classical Islamicate World. Students will develop an appreciation for the development of the intellectual history of what may be called, not without reservation, the medieval and early modern Middle East (including North Africa, al-Andalus and Sicily).
This course explores the literary masterworks of some of the most celebrated authors of the classical Islamicate world (500-1500). It gives students the chance to intensely and comparatively engage notable global texts from “the medieval Islamic republic of letters,” to quote M. J. al-Musawi’s groundbreaking The Medieval Islamic Republic of Letters: Arabic Knowledge Construction (2015). Students will cultivate an appreciation for the development of the intellectual history of the “medieval” Middle East (including North Africa and al-Andalus) alongside their engagement with such masterpieces as Aesopica, Ars Amatoria, Confessiones, The Panchatantra, Tales of Genji, Tahkemoni, The Sundiata, The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales, Lazarillo de Tormes, Othello, Don Quixote, and Robison Crusoe. Drawing on both classical Arabic-Islamic and modern Western theories, we will further form comparative insights into the poetics and politics of the humanist topics encountered across our literary journeys into the rich corpus of Arabic-Islamic adab (belles-lettres).
New Cabell Hall 395
Mo 3:30pm - 6:00pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=18683
ARTR 5450 Global Masterpieces from the Classical Islamicate World: A Comparative Approach
Nizar Hermes
Note: This course is combined with ARTR 3450
This course explores the literary masterworks of some of the most celebrated authors of the classical Islamicate world (500-1500). Drawing on both classical Arabic-Islamic and modern Western theories, we will further form comparative insights into the poetics and politics of the humanist topics encountered across our literary journeys into the rich corpus of Arabic-Islamic adab (belles-lettres).
This course explores the literary masterworks of some of the most celebrated authors of the classical Islamicate world (500-1500). It gives students the chance to intensely and comparatively engage notable global texts from “the medieval Islamic republic of letters,” to quote M. J. al-Musawi’s groundbreaking The Medieval Islamic Republic of Letters: Arabic Knowledge Construction (2015). Students will cultivate an appreciation for the development of the intellectual history of the “medieval” Middle East (including North Africa and al-Andalus) alongside their engagement with such masterpieces as Aesopica, Ars Amatoria, Confessiones, The Panchatantra, Tales of Genji, Tahkemoni, The Sundiata, The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales, Lazarillo de Tormes, Othello, Don Quixote, and Robison Crusoe. Drawing on both classical Arabic-Islamic and modern Western theories, we will further form comparative insights into the poetics and politics of the humanist topics encountered across our literary journeys into the rich corpus of Arabic-Islamic adab (belles-lettres).
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=20941
RELA 2750 African Religions
Cynthia Hoehler-Fatton
Introduces the mythology, ritual, philosophy, and religious art of the traditional religions of sub-Saharan Africa, also African versions of Christianity and African-American religions in the New World.
Gilmer Hall 245
TuTh 12:30pm - 1:45pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=12132
RELA 3000 Women and Religion in Africa
Cynthia Hoehler-Fatton
This course examines women's religious activities, traditions and spirituality in a number of different African contexts. Drawing on ethnographic, historical, literary, and religious studies scholarship, we will explore a variety of themes and debates that have emerged in the study of gender and religion in Africa. Topics will include gendered images of sacred power; the construction of gender through ritual; sexuality and fertility; and women.
New Cabell Hall 115
MoWe 2:00pm - 3:15pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=18724
HIEU 2101 Jewish History I: The Ancient and Medieval Experience
Caroline Kahlenberg
This course surveys the pre-modern Jewish historical experience from antiquity through the sixteenth century.
New Cabell Hall 032
MoWe 8:30am - 9:45am
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=19496
HIST 3501 Introductory History Workshop: Modern Jewish History through Literature and Film
Caroline Kahlenberg
Required for history majors, to be completed before enrollment in the Major Seminar. Introduces a variety of approaches to the study of history, methods for finding and analyzing primary and secondary sources, and the construction of historical arguments. Workshops are offered on a variety of topics each term.
Nau Hall 241
We 3:30pm - 6:00pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=20418
ANTH 2800 Introduction to Archaeology
Adria LaViolette
Topics include alternative theories of prehistoric culture change, dating methods, excavation and survey techniques, and the reconstruction of the economy, social organization, and religion of prehistoric societies.
New Cabell Hall 132
MoWeFr 10:00am - 10:50am
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=19157
RELI/RELH 5221 Hindu-Muslim Encounters
Shankar Nair
This course examines Hindu-Muslim interactions in South Asia, bridging the long-standing gap between Hindu and Islamic studies while introducing critical issues currently facing the historiography of Hindu-Muslim relations. Special topics within the ambit of Hindu-Muslim encounters will be explored in depth, with a particular emphasis on intellectual interactions between traditions of Hindu and Islamic philosophy.
New Cabell Hall 291
Mo 3:30pm - 6:00pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=19899
RELI 8703 Advanced Readings in Arabic
Shankar Nair
Advanced readings in Arabic philosophical, theological, mystical, and literary texts. Course readings will be in Arabic.
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=12904
RELA 2748 Introduction to African Philosophy: Race, Religion, and Rationality
Oludamini Ogunnaike
This course will survey the central debates of the field of African Philosophy: what counts as "African"? what counts as "philosophy"?, the universality or cultural particularity of rationality, the role of race and racism in modern, Western Philosophy, the role of writing and orality in philosophy, and "African" conceptions of the self, truth, knowledge, gender, ethics, and justice.
Gibson Hall 142
TuTh 3:30pm - 4:45pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=12904
ARTH 2961 Arts of the Islamic World
Amanda Phillips
The class is an overview of art made in the service of Islam in the Central Islamic Lands, Egypt, North Africa, Spain, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and South and Southeast Asia. Discussion sections offer more in depth discussions of larger issues raised in the lectures.
Campbell Hall 160
TuTh 12:30pm - 1:45pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=18763
EGMT 1520 Empirical & Scientific Engagement Posessed: Objects & Empiricism
Amanda Phillips
In this class students will learn to analyze claims about the material and social worlds through formulation and testing of new questions and hypotheses based on observation and experience.
Gilmer Hall 247
MoWe 3:30pm - 4:45pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=13367
HIME 2001 The Making of the Islamic World
Kristina Richardson
Explores the history of the Middle East and North Africa from late antiquity to the rise to superpower status of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century. Topics include the formation of Islam and the first Arab-Islamic conquests; the fragmentation of the empire of the caliphate; the historical development of Islamic social, legal, and political institutions; science and philosophy; and the impact of invaders (Turks, Crusaders, and Mongols).
Drama Education Bldg 217
TuTh 2:00pm - 3:15pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=19498
HIME 9023 Tutorial in the History of the Medieval Middle East and North Africa
Kristina Richardson
This tutorial surveys the historiography of the medieval Middle East and North Africa (broadly construed), from pre-Islamic Arabia through the Ottoman conquest of the Mamluk Sultanate, which reunified the eastern half of the Mediterranean for the first time in a millennium. Readings introduce the major dynasties between Iberia and Central Asia, from the Umayyads to the Ottomans, and the seminal texts that have shaped the field.
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=20981
RELI 3200 Muslim Misfits: Islam and the Question of Difference
Noah Salomon
Islam began strange and will return to strange as it began. So blessings to the strange ones! So goes a famous saying of the Prophet Muhammad, celebrating the virtue of truth over conformity. This course examines Islamic movements that have sought to push back against religious and political norms of their times. Along the way, we read debates about orthodoxy: what are the limits of the Muslim community and how are such limits contested?
Nau Hall 242
TuTh 2:00pm - 3:15pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=18790
AAS 3157 Caribbean Perspectives
Fatima Siwaju
Breaking with popular constructions of the region as a timeless tropical paradise, this course will re-define the Caribbean as the birthplace of modern forms of capitalism, globalization, and trans-nationalism. We will survey the founding moments of Caribbean history, including the imposition of slavery, the rise of plantation economies, and the development of global networks of goods and peoples.
The Caribbean has often been stereotyped as a tropical paradise replete with breathtaking beaches and smiling, languid locals. This exoticizing perspective no doubt flattens the complex histories and contemporary realities of Caribbean societies. This course therefore explores the rich intellectual, political, and cultural currents that have emanated from the Caribbean. Drawing upon the influential work of Caribbean thinkers, artists, and activists, this course foregrounds the Caribbean as a critical contributor to ways of thinking and being in the world.
New Cabell Hall 411
Tu 3:30pm - 6:00pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=19727
MESA 2110 Intro to Middle East / South Asia Film History
Samhita Sunya
"Transnational Circuits of Cinema: An Introduction to Middle East - South Asia Film History" - Since its very inception as a traveling fairground attraction, cinema has been a globally-circulating medium. This course begins in the moment of early cinema and proceeds through the contemporary moment, with a focus on Middle East - South Asia genealogies of filmmaking.
New Cabell Hall 309
MoWe 3:30pm - 4:45pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=18687
MESA 3381 Spies in Action: Cine-Media Worlds of Espionage
Samhita Sunya
This course explores the cinematic and media worlds of fictional spies. We'll consider histories of espionage and zoom in on the Cold-War-era heyday of modern espionage and fictional spies. By following the narrative, formal, and historical geographies of spy genres in and beyond the Middle East and South Asia, we'll connect depictions of espionage and gadgetry to perspectives on seeing and being in the modern world.
New Cabell Hall 309
MoWe 2:00pm - 3:15pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=12855
MESA 5110 Transnational Circuits of Cinema, Middle East-South Asia Film History
Samhita Sunya
This course begins in the era of early cinema and proceeds through the contemporary moment, with a focus on Middle East -- South Asia genealogies of filmmaking. Its emphasis remains on the quintessentially transnational histories (parallels, intersections, circuits) of these cinemas - e.g., the centrality of popular Egyptian cinema within the Arab world; the prolific circulation of Hindi cinema across and beyond South Asia.
New Cabell Hall 309
MoWe 3:30pm - 4:45pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=12855
AAS 5559 New Course in African and African American Studies: Sovereignty, Law & Knowledge in African History
Amir Syed and Emily Burrill
Th 2:00pm - 4:30pm
https://louslist.org/sectiontip.php?Semester=1242&ClassNumber=19144