Arabic 215: Readings in Medieval Arabic Anthologies

The concept of adab as the “liberal arts education” of the medieval Arab world presents itself most vividly in the “adab anthology”. In this genre, medieval Arab authors collected and classified the knowledge of their time, representing a variety of disciplines: literature (poetic, proverbial, historical-anecdotal), Religion (Qurʾan, ḥadīth, jurisprudence, theology), linguistics, as well as philosophy and the sciences. In the class we will read excerpts from the works of some of the major medieval anthology writers: Ibn ʿAbd Rabbihi, Abū al-Faraj al-Iṣfahānī, al-Nuwayrī and al-Ibshīhī. All readings are in Arabic. Pre-requisite: Arabic 205 or equivalent.

 
Arabic 222: Contemporary Music in the Middle East: From Umm Kulthum to Nancy Ajram

The Middle East is the home of a great number of musical styles, genres and traditions. Regional, ideological and cultural diversity, national identity, as well as cross-cultural encounters – all express themselves in music. In this class we will explore some of the various musical traditions in the Arab world, Turkey and Iran, from the beginning of the 20th century to the present.  Class discussions will involve readings (in English) and guided listening. No prior music knowledge is required. 

Arabic 231: Classical Arabic Literature (adab) in the Making

This introductory course to Classical Arabic Literature will focus on the emergence and formation of Medieval Arabic belles-lettres (adab). We will read excerpts from adab literature (in translation), and discuss the social-historical forces and institutions that shaped it: the rise of the urban elite in ʿAbbāsid Baghdad, the patronage supporting scholars, the intellectual gatherings of scholars (the majlis), the book shop, as well as the introduction of paper. We will discuss which materials were admitted into adab, and which were left out (e.g.: “A Thousand and One Nights”).