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Major Concentration World Islamic & Middle East Studies (36 credits)

Offered by: Islamic Studies     Degree: Bachelor of Arts and Science

Program Requirements

This major replaces the Major Concentration in Middle East Studies.

World Islamic and Middle East Studies is an interdisciplinary program focusing on Muslim cultures and societies both past and present. Recognizing the variety of approaches within Islam, its global reach, but also its regional specificities, and that of the Middle East in particular, the program aims at providing students with training in the textual traditions and social life of Muslims across different times and places.

For information about instructors and course descriptions, visit the program’s website at .

Complementary Courses (36 credits)

12-15 credits (2 levels) in one language: Arabic, Persian, Turkish, or Urdu. In the case of Arabic, the first two levels involve 15 credits. The extra 3 credits will be counted toward the remainder of the complementary courses requirement.

21-24 credits (21 if Introductory Arabic has been chosen), of complementary courses selected from the World Islamic and Middle East Studies course lists as follows:

3 credits of 100-/200-level non-language ISLA courses;

6 credits of 300-level non-language ISLA courses;

6 credits of 400-/500-level non-language ISLA courses;

6-9 credits at any level, including more language courses, but no more than 6 credits overall at the 100/200 level. Students might fulfill these credits by taking complementary courses from other departments listed as relevant to the program.

Languages (12-15 credits)

Arabic

  • ISLA 521D1 Introductory Arabic (4.5 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Modern Standard Arabic. Focus on the development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, with an emphasis on the functional use of the language.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Chamsine, Chirine; Nancekivell, David (Fall)

    • Fall and Winter

    • 5 lecture hours and laboratory

    • Prerequisite: Placement Test or permission of instructor

    • Students must register for both ISLA 521D1 and ISLA 521D2.

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 521D1 and ISLA 521D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 521D2 Introductory Arabic (4.5 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : See ISLA 521D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Chamsine, Chirine; Nancekivell, David (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 521D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 521D1 and ISLA 521D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 522 Lower Intermediate Arabic (6 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : The course brings students to the intermediate level, using authentic materials and emphasizing reading and grammar analysis more than the introductory level. It uses the communicative approach, stressing active participation in class discussions. It focuses on writing skills and developing vocabulary. Students should speak Arabic at all times.

    Terms: Summer 2016, Fall 2015, Winter 2016

    Instructors: Gohar, Shokry; Nancekivell, David (Summer) Gohar, Shokry; Nancekivell, David (Fall) Gohar, Shokry; Nancekivell, David (Winter)

    • Summer

    • 3 hours and laboratory

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 521D1/D2 or equivalent, Placement Test, or permission of instructor.

  • ISLA 522D1 Lower Intermediate Arabic (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : The course brings students to the intermediate level, using authentic materials and emphasizing reading and grammar analysis more than the introductory level. It uses the communicative approach, stressing active participation in class discussions. It focuses on writing skills and developing vocabulary. Students should speak Arabic at all times.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Gohar, Shokry; Nancekivell, David (Fall)

  • ISLA 522D2 Lower Intermediate Arabic (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : The course brings students to the intermediate level, using authentic materials and emphasizing reading and grammar analysis more than the introductory level. It uses the communicative approach, stressing active participation in class discussions. It focuses on writing skills and developing vocabulary. Students should speak Arabic at all times.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Gohar, Shokry; Nancekivell, David (Winter)

  • ISLA 523D1 Higher Intermediate Arabic (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Uses authentic materials to bring students to the higher intermediate level. Uses the communicative approach and emphasizes writing and reading analysis more than the previous level. Students are taught to produce more precise and coherent articles and develop a solid vocabulary and repertoire of common phrases. Classes are in Arabic.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Nancekivell, David; Gohar, Shokry (Fall)

    • Fall and Winter

    • 3 hours and laboratory

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 522D1/D2 or equivalent, Placement Test, or permission of instructor.

    • Students must register for both ISLA 523D1 and ISLA 523D2.

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 523D1 and ISLA 523D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 523D2 Higher Intermediate Arabic (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Uses authentic materials to bring students to the higher intermediate level. Uses the communicative approach and emphasizes writing and reading analysis more than the previous level. Students are taught to produce more precise and coherent articles and develop a solid vocabulary and repertoire of common phrases. Classes are in Arabic.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Gohar, Shokry; Nancekivell, David; Wisnovsky, Robert (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 523D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 523D1 and ISLA 523D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 524 Advanced Arabic 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Advanced level of the Arabic language study.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Gohar, Shokry; Nancekivell, David (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 523D1/D2, Placement Test, or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 624 or ISLA 624D1/2.

    • Note: Language of instruction is Arabic.

  • ISLA 525 Advanced Arabic 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Advanced level of the Arabic language study.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 524 or ISLA 624, Placement Test, or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 624D1/2 or ISLA 625.

    • Note: Language of instruction is Arabic.

Persian

  • ISLA 541D1 Introductory Persian (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : This course concentrates on both grammatical and communicative competence. At the end of the course, students will be able to comprehend, read, write and say simple texts in Persian. They are also introduced to Persian culture, customs and literature. The language of instruction is both English and Persian.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Shabani-Jadidi, Pouneh (Fall)

    • Fall and Winter

    • 3 hours

    • Prerequisite: Placement Test or permission of instructor

    • Students must register for both ISLA 541D1 and ISLA 541D2.

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 541D1 and ISLA 541D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 541D2 Introductory Persian (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : This course concentrates on both grammatical and communicative competence. At the end of the course, students will be able to comprehend, read, write and say simple texts in Persian. They are also introduced to Persian culture, customs and literature. The language of instruction is both English and Persian.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Shabani-Jadidi, Pouneh (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 541D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 541D1 and ISLA 541D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 542D1 Lower Intermediate Persian (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : This course bridges students' knowledge of the language acquired in the prerequisite courses and more complex texts. Students will read about the Persian culture and language and become familiar with the literature and linguistics of Persian language through short excerpts from authentic sources. The language of instruction is mainly Persian.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Shabani-Jadidi, Pouneh (Fall)

    • Fall and Winter

    • 3 hours

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 541D1/D2 or equivalent, Placement Test, or permission of instructor.

    • Students must register for both ISLA 542D1 and ISLA 542D2.

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 542D1 and ISLA 542D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 542D2 Lower Intermediate Persian (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : This course bridges students' knowledge of the language acquired in the prerequisite courses and more complex texts. Students will read about the Persian culture and language and become familiar with the literature and linguistics of Persian language through short excerpts from authentic sources. The language of instruction is mainly Persian.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Shabani-Jadidi, Pouneh (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 542D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 542D1 and ISLA 542D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 543 Upper Intermediate Persian 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Upper intermediate level of Persian language study.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Shabani-Jadidi, Pouneh (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 542D1/D2, Placement Test, or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 642 or ISLA 643D1/D2.

    • Note: Language of instruction is Persian.

  • ISLA 544 Upper Intermediate Persian 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Continuation of upper intermediate level of Persian language study.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Shabani-Jadidi, Pouneh (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 543 or ISLA 642, Placement Test, or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 643 or ISLA 643D1/2.

    • Note: Language of instruction is Persian.

  • ISLA 545 Advanced Persian 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Advanced level of Persian language study.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 544 or ISLA 643, Placement Test, or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 644 or ISLA 644D1/2.

    • Note: Language of instruction is Persian.

  • ISLA 546 Advanced Persian 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Advanced level of Persian language study.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 545 or ISLA 644, Placement Test, or permission of instructor.

    • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken ISLA 644D1/2 or ISLA 645.

    • Note: Language of instruction is Persian.

Turkish

Urdu

  • ISLA 551D1 Introductory Urdu (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Introduction to the basic grammatical structures and vocabulary of the Urdu language, including drills in pronunciation and sentence structures.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Munir, Muhammad Ahmad; Khan, Mohamad; Sabri, Zahra (Fall)

    • Fall and Winter

    • 3 hours

    • Students must register for both ISLA 551D1 and ISLA 551D2.

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 551D1 and ISLA 551D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 551D2 Introductory Urdu (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : See ISLA 551D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Munir, Muhammad Ahmad; Khan, Mohamad; Sabri, Zahra (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 551D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 551D1 and ISLA 551D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 552D1 Intermediate Urdu (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Assuming a knowledge of basic grammar and vocabulary, this course continues with the study of more complex grammatical structures. Reading and composition exercises in Urdu script are designed to give intermediate competency in the language.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Khan, Mohamad (Fall)

  • ISLA 552D2 Intermediate Urdu (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : See ISLA 552D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Khan, Mohamad (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 552D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 552D1 and ISLA 552D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 553 Advanced Urdu 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • ISLA 554 Advanced Urdu 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

ISLA 100-/200-Level

3 credits from:

  • ISLA 199 FYS: Narrations of the Middle East (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : An introduction to competing narratives about crucial moments in the history and culture of the Middle East. Reading and discussion of texts drawn from a variety of perspectives and genres, including historical accounts, poetry, fiction, memoir and others.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Restriction(s): Only open to newly-admitted students in U0 or U1, who may take only one FYS.

    • Note: Enrollment limit 25. Students who register for more than one FYS will be obliged to withdraw from all but one of them.

    • Note: Language of instruction is English.

  • ISLA 200 Islamic Civilization (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : An introduction to, and survey of, the religious, literary, artistic, legal, philosophical and scientific traditions that constituted Islamic civilization from the 7th Century until the mid-19th Century.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Keshavmurthy, Prashant; Ücüncü, Temel; Sabri, Zahra (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Note: All readings are in English.

  • ISLA 210 Muslim Societies (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : An introduction to the different, often disparate, ways in which Muslims live and think in the modern world (19th-21st centuries). Muslim social contexts across the globe and cyberspace.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Medani, Khalid; Rahman, Md; Graham, Pascale (Winter)

    • Winter

ISLA 300-Level

6 credits from:

  • ISLA 320 Art of Islam (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : This course will focus on visual culture of the Islamic world from the origins of the Muslim faith to the present. We will study a variety of objects across a wide range of media, from well-known and significant buildings, lavish illustrated manuscripts, and courtly objects to everyday textiles and contemporary film.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • ISLA 325 Introduction to Shi'i Islam (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Developments in doctrines, legal school, rituals and political thought of Twelver Shi'ite Muslims during early and late medieval periods (centuries VII-XIII). The emergence of the earliest Shi'ite communities in Arabia, Yemen, Iraq and Iran stressing the relationship of the Shi'ite Imams and their religious scholars to the Sunnite Caliphates.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Winter

  • ISLA 330 Islamic Mysticism: Sufism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : The varieties of "mystical" thought in Islam, primarily as seen in Sufism, its historical development and its place in Islamic culture. Analytical study of major authors, their writings and their central problems.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Khan, Mohamad (Fall)

    • Prerequisite(s): ISLA 200 or permission of instructor.

  • ISLA 340 Islamic Law and Human Rights (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : The impact of modernity on Islamic legal discourse and practice, with particular focus on hermeneutical approaches devised to create an overlapping consensus with liberal democracy. The counter discourse – popularly known as Salafism -- to which Islamic modernism gave rise will also be examined.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 200 or permission of instructor.

  • ISLA 345 Science and Civilization in Islam (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : History of scientific traditions and ideas in Islamic civilization, from the origins of Islam to the early modern period. Emphasis is on the derivation, development and transmissions of Islamic science, as well as on the assimilation and influence of science within Islamic culture.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Ragep, Faiz (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 200 or permission of the instructor.

    • Note: All readings are in English.

  • ISLA 350 From Tribe to Dynasty (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : The political and intellectual developments shaping Arab and Persian societies from the rise of Islam in the 7th century until the early mid 8th century, including the major social changes, political revolts, religious schisms, and the consolidation of lasting cultural institutions.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

  • ISLA 355 Modern History of the Middle East (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Assessment of the historical transformation of the modern Middle East concentrating on its internal socio-economic changes, as well as the colonial experience and encounters with the West since the early 19th century. Examination of the historical conditions that led to the rise of nationalism, the nation-state, the Arab-Israeli conflict.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Abisaab, Malek (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 210 or permission of instructor.

  • ISLA 360 Islam and Politics (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Assessment of the relationship between Islam and politics in the contemporary Middle East and Africa through various analytic themes, including political economy, social movement and gendered analysis.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 210 or permission of instructor.

  • ISLA 370 The Qur’an: History and Interpretation (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : It examines the history of the codification of the text, its form, and modes of interpretation in both the modern and pre-modern periods. Presentation of different schools of Qur’anic exegesis, including traditional hermeneutical approaches, and modern approaches such as feminist interpretations of the Qur’Än.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite(s): ISLA 200 or permission of instructor

  • ISLA 380 Islamic Philosophy and Theology (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : A survey of the most important philosophers and theologians in Islamic intellectual history, with a focus on the theories they articulated and the movements they engendered. The impact of European thought on 19th and 20th century Islamic intellectual history is also examined.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Wisnovsky, Robert (Fall)

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 200 or permission of instructor.

    • Note: Reading and discussion in English.

  • ISLA 383 Central Questions in Islamic Law (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : An integrative view of Islamic law in the past and present, including landmarks in Islamic legal history (e.g., sources of law; early formation; intellectual make-up; the workings of court; legal change; legal effects of colonialism; modernity and legal reform) and a structured definition of what it was/is.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Ibrahim, Ahmed (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 200 or permission of instructor.

  • ISLA 385 Poetics & Politics in Arabic Literature (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Major issues in classical and modern Arabic literature; how poetics and politics interact in classical and modern, popular folktales and high literature, novels and poetry. The politics of translation from Arabic into English.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 210 or permission of instructor.

    • Note: Reading and discussion in English.

  • ISLA 388 Persian Literature (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Examination of literature produced in the Persian-speaking world from the mid 10th to the late 20th century C.E. A broad selection of texts (prose and poetry) will be studied in translation.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Keshavmurthy, Prashant (Winter)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 200 or permission of instructor.

    • Note: Readings in English.

  • ISLA 392 Arabic Literature as World Literature (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Consideration of Arabic literature as part of world literature, including exploration of tensions between reading Arabic literature as local, discrete and self-contained and as part of larger global phenomena.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 210 or permission of instructor.

ISLA 400-/500-Level

6 credits from:

  • ISLA 410 History: Middle-East 1798-1918 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : A study of the Middle East from Napoleon's invasion of Egypt to the end of WWI. Emphasis will be on the emergence of nationalisms in the context of European imperialism; political, social, and economic transformation; religion and ideology; and changing patterns of alliances.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • 3 hours

  • ISLA 411 History: Middle-East 1918-1945 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : The impact of WWI on Middle Eastern society and politics; the British and French mandates; the growth of nationalisms, revolutions and the formation of national states; WW II and the clash of political interests within the region.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Soske, Jon; Parsons, Laila (Winter)

    • 3 hours

  • ISLA 415 Modern Iran: Anthropological Approach (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : The modern history, social, and cultural anthropology of contemporary Iran.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 210 or permission of instructor.

  • ISLA 420 Indo-Islamic Civilization: Medieval (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : The rise of Islam in South Asia in the 8th Century and its subsequent expansion; evolution of Indo-Islamic civilization and its apogee during Mughal rule up to 1707. Themes include state and religion; ruling institutions; political theory, Sufism and the process of conversion, as well as the formation of a composite culture.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 200 or permission of instructor.

  • ISLA 421 Islam in South Asia: 1707 to Present (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Eighteenth-century India after the "Great Mughals"; decentralization and turmoil in Delhi; rise of British colonialism and responses from Indian litterateurs and religious scholars; artistic developments; 1857 Rebellion to Independence and Partition; Muslims of modern Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka; political Islam and the War on Terror; Pakistani religious minorities.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 420 or permission of instructor.

  • ISLA 430 Islamdom: Baghdad to Cordoba (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : The course examines the major socio-political developments in Iraq, Persia, Syria, Egypt, North Africa and Spain from the 9th to the 13th Century. Emphasis is laid on the Umayyad Caliphate centered in Cordoba, and the 'Abbasid Caliphate centered in Baghdad, and the rise of important local dynasties leading up to the Mongol invasion. The course underscores the formation of Islamic cultures in distinct geographical settings and the transformation of religious life under new socio-economic conditions. It also explores shifting notions of civil society and orthodoxy.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • ISLA 502 Art in the Age of Empires (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : This course offers a wide-ranging survey of visual culture under the three Muslim superpowers of the early modern period: the Mediterranean-based Ottomans, the Safavids of Iran, and the Mughals of India. The course will examine the nature of these states and their distinctive and vibrant artistic idiom on a comparative basis. Topics include the formation of imperial ideology and its visual articulation; palaces and court culture; artistic organization, authorship, and agency; patronage, gender, piety, as well as cross-cultural interaction.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite(s): ISLA 320 or permission of instructor.

  • ISLA 506 Islam: Later Developments (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : How the basic elements of Islam have been understood in the course of later Islamic history up to the present day. The nature and development of Shi'ism, Sufi brotherhoods, major intellectual trends, Islam in a world of nation states, diaspora. The challenges of modernity and the contemporary world.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • 3 hours

  • ISLA 511D1 History: Islamic Civilization - Mediaeval Era (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : The Seljuks, and the medieval synthesis. The Moors in Spain and North Africa. The Crusades. The Mongols and the destruction of the Baghdad Caliphate. The Mamluk, Persian, Turkish and Indian Empires until 1700.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • ISLA 511D2 History: Islamic Civilization - Mediaeval Era (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : See ISLA 511D1 for course description.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 511D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both ISLA 511D1 and ISLA 511D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • ISLA 512 Art of the Ottoman Empire (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : This course examines artistic production of the large and long-lived empire of the Ottomans. Focusing on key monuments of art and architecture, discussion will revolve around issues relating to imperial identity, patronage, court-culture, and cross-cultural exchange.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite(s): ISLA 320 or permission of instructor.

  • ISLA 515 The Medieval School in Islam (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Schooling in medieval Islamic society particularly in Iraq, Greater Syria, Persia, and Egypt. Sheds light on the structure of learning, aims of education, the life of students including women, and their relationship to their teachers. Illuminates forms of academic evaluation, and looks closely at the "scholarly license" as an accrediting tool delineating its function and scope. Through a set of representative studies on the medieval school, it brings attention to the heated debates surrounding the academic rigor of this form of learning, and the place of scientific learning in it, as well as the historical connection between it and the early European college.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • ISLA 585 Arab Women's Literature (3 credits)

    Offered by: Islamic Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Islamic Studies : Explorations of writings by Arab women. Issues include: translation/reception, gender and genre, categories of knowledge about Arab women, feminist and post-colonial theories/methodologies.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: ISLA 392 or permission of instructor.

    • Note: Readings in English translation.

Revision, December 2015. Start of revision.

6-9 credits at any level, including ISLA 499, or more language courses (from the language lists above), but no more than 6 credits overall at the 100/200 level. Students might fulfill these credits by taking complementary courses from other departments listed as relevant to the program.

Revision, December 2015. End of revision.

Non-ISLA Courses

  • ANTH 340 Middle Eastern Society and Culture (3 credits)

    Offered by: Anthropology (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Anthropology : Exploration of daily life, culture and society in the Middle East, through examination of ethnographic accounts.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • HIST 240 Modern History of Islamic Movements (3 credits)

    Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    History : Islamic revival in the Middle East which led to the rise of different versions of Islamic traditions and beliefs. Emphasis on the nature and character of leading nationalist and Islamic movements and their ideologues since the late 19th century.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Abisaab, Malek (Fall)

  • HIST 339 Arab-Israeli Conflict (3 credits)

    Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    History : The political, military, and diplomatic history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, with a focus on a number of historiographical debates over specific issues, such as the 1948 and 1967 wars, and the failures of the various peace initiatives.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Restriction: Open to U2 or U3 students only or permission of instructor.

  • HIST 448 Women, Gender and Sexuality in the Middle East (3 credits)

    Offered by: History and Classical Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    History : A focus on women in the history of the late-19th- and 20th-Century Middle East, and on the ways in which gender analysis and sexuality illuminate the history of national and religious communities. Topics such as: education, masculinity, sexuality, Western representations of Middle Eastern women, and gender and the nation.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: A course on women, gender or sexuality or permission of instructor.

  • JWST 220D1 Introductory Hebrew (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : Language acquisition - introductory Hebrew.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Fima, Lea; Haliva, Racheli (Fall)

  • JWST 220D2 Introductory Hebrew (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : See JWST 220D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Fima, Lea; Rubinstein, Ora (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: JWST 220D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both JWST 220D1 and JWST 220D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • JWST 320D1 Intermediate Hebrew (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : This course is designed to integrate students at various levels into one group with the aim of improving their basic language skills and preparing them for advanced Hebrew.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Haliva, Racheli (Fall)

  • JWST 320D2 Intermediate Hebrew (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : See JWST 320D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Rubinstein, Ora (Winter)

  • JWST 323 The Israeli Novel (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : In-depth examination of selected Israeli novels written during the past fifty years of national formation and consolidation. Authors may include Agnon, Yehoshua, Oz, Shabtai, Shalev and others.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • JWST 340D1 Advanced Hebrew (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : Language acquisition - advanced Hebrew.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Fima, Lea (Fall)

  • JWST 340D2 Advanced Hebrew (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : See JWST 340D1 for course description.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Fima, Lea (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: JWST 340D1

    • No credit will be given for this course unless both JWST 340D1 and JWST 340D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms

  • JWST 366 History of Zionism (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : An examination of the development of the Zionist idea, the most influential expression of modern Jewish nationalism, which led to the creation of the Jewish state. The transformation of elements of traditional Jewish messianism into a modern political ideology. Hibbat Zion, Political Zionism, Cultural and Synthetic Zionism will be discussed.

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Heller, Daniel (Fall)

  • JWST 367 Hebrew Language and Israeli Culture 1 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : A post-advanced study of Hebrew language through an encounter with Israeli film, music and art as well as academic, journalistic, literary, and dramatic texts (all materials are in Hebrew).

    Terms: Fall 2015

    Instructors: Fima, Lea (Fall)

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: JWST 340 or permission of instructor

  • JWST 368 Hebrew Language and Israeli Culture 2 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : A post-advanced study of Hebrew language through an encounter with Israeli film, music and art as well as academic, journalistic, literary, and dramatic texts (all materials are in Hebrew).

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Fima, Lea (Winter)

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: JWST 340 or permission of instructor

  • JWST 369 Hebrew Language and Israeli Culture 3 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : A post-advanced study of Hebrew language through an encounter with Israeli film, music and art as well as academic, journalistic, literary, and dramatic texts (all materials are in Hebrew).

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Fall

    • Prerequisite: JWST 340 or permission of instructor

  • JWST 370 Hebrew Language and Israeli Culture 4 (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : A post-advanced study of Hebrew language through an encounter with Israeli film, music and art as well as academic, journalistic, literary, and dramatic texts (all materials are in Hebrew).

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Winter

    • Prerequisite: JWST 340 or permission of instructor

  • JWST 562 Medieval Islamic and Jewish Philosophy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Jewish Studies : Deals with the manifold points of contact between medieval Muslim and Jewish intellectual history. Muslim and Jewish philosophers, theologians and mystics belonged to the same currents of thought, used the same language and studied the same sources in translation, proposing similar answers to questions that arose in the context of their respective religious traditions.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: one course in Greek, Islamic or Jewish Philosophy, or permission of instructor.

  • PHIL 356 Early Medieval Philosophy (3 credits)

    Offered by: Philosophy (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Philosophy : An examination of selected works in the Christian, Islamic and Jewish traditions. Topics in moral and political philosophy, logic and metaphysics, philosophical psychology and epistemology, philosophy of science, and philosophical theology may be discussed.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

  • POLI 340 Developing Areas/Middle East (3 credits)

    Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Political Science : An examination of the societies, political forces and regimes of selected countries of the Eastern Arab world (Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia).

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: A basic course in Comparative Politics or a course on the region or written permission of the instructor

    • Note: The area in the field of Comparative Politics is Developing Areas.

  • POLI 341 Foreign Policy: The Middle East (3 credits)

    Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Political Science : An examination of the changing regional security environment and the evolving foreign policies and relationships of Arab states in three areas - relations with non-Arab regional powers (Israel, Iran), inter-Arab relations, Great Power relations. The course will focus particularly on Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: A 200- or 300- level course in International Relations or Middle East politics or permission of the instructor

    • Note: The field is International Politics.

  • POLI 347 Arab-Israel Conflict, Crisis, Peace (3 credits)

    Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Political Science : Concepts - protracted conflict, crisis, war, peace; system, subsystem; Conflict-levels of analysis; historical context; images and issues; attitudes, policies, role of major powers; Crises-Wars - configuration of power; crisis models; decision-making in 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982 crisis-wars; conflict- crisis management; Peace-Making - pre-1977; Egypt-Israel peace treaty; Madrid, Oslo, Israel-Jordan peace; prospects for conflict resolution.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Prerequisite: 160-243 prior to 1997-98; or POLI 244

    • Note: The field is International Politics.

  • POLI 437 Politics in Israel (3 credits)

    Offered by: Political Science (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Political Science : An analysis of the nature and development of the Israeli political system, including historical background, Zionist ideology, the electoral system, the political parties, the institutions of government, constitutional issues, and religion and politics. The relationship between domestic politics and foreign policy will also be explored.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Waller, Harold M (Winter)

    • Prerequisite: POLI 211 or POLI 212. Recommended JWST 366

    • Note: The area in the field of Comparative Politics is Developed Areas.

  • RELG 204 Judaism, Christianity and Islam (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : An introduction to the beliefs, practices, and religious institutions of these three world religions.

    Terms: Winter 2016

    Instructors: Henderson, Ian H; Waind, Jonathan; Fakhoury, Hadi (Winter)

    • Winter

  • RELG 256 Women in Judaism and Islam (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : The role of women in Judaism and Islam from the point of view of institutionalized religious traditions and of women's religious subjectivity; how women's spiritual and social roles within their religious traditions are shaped by Revealed Law, Holy Text and the Authority of Interpretation. Comparative sociology of religion approach.

    Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.

    • Summer

  • RELG 307 Bible, Quran & Interpretations (3 credits)

    Offered by: Religious Studies (Faculty of Arts)

    Overview

    Religious Studies : Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures as responses to earlier sacred texts and in the light of post-scriptural interpretations. The debates, polemics, interpretative strategies, and intellectual and spiritual sharing produced by these three religions in accepting, explaining, amplifying, modifying, and selectively rejecting their and other sacred scriptures.

    Terms: Summer 2016

    Instructors: Oegema, Gerbern (Summer)

    • Winter

Bachelor of Arts & Science—2015-2016 (last updated Aug. 20, 2015) (disclaimer)
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