Beyond Geography: The Meaning of Place in the Near East

3 units

This course considers the importance of place in the Middle East with particular reference to Jewish and Islamic traditions. Topics to cover include the creation of holy sites, the concept of sacred space, the practice of pilgrimages, and the tropes of exile and return. Texts will range from analytical essays to novels, memoirs, and films by authors such as Edward Said, Naguib Mahfouz, Taher Ben Jelloun, Elif Shafak, A. B. Yehoshua, Shulamit Hareven, and Hanan Al-Shaykh. Requirements include participation, short assignments, and a seminar paper. This course fulfills the capstone requirement for students majoring in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, but is open to advanced undergraduates and graduate students.