African Cultural Studies 302: Arabic Literature and Cinema

In AF302 we gain a critical understanding of Arabic literature and film. We concentrate on art from the mid-20th century to the present day but also explore premodern literature that deeply interests some of our authors. We’ll learn to both survey and rigorously analyze a group of works vital to Arab public life. All course materials are translated/subtitled in English, with original texts available via our library to anyone interested in the language of composition.

Along with learning literary and cinematic traditions, each student develops the skills of a critic and independent researcher. That means studying criticism as a discipline, both in general forms of humanities scholarship and in specific applications in the field of Arabic culture. Secondary texts in the syllabus are geared for that dual purpose. The goal of our disciplinary work is to enable you to navigate resources like the University Libraries and collections of unique artistic texts like Chazen and Kohler holdings.

Classes listed as “Lecture” are organized more as structured discussions

Week 7 (mid-semester): “The Arabic Novel up to the 21st Century”; and “1948 Fiction”

Readings: Alexandra Chreiteh, ALWAYS COCA-COLA;

Juha the Fool; “Party Crashers” in Salma Jayyusi ed.; Emile Habiby, THE SECRET LIFE OF SAEED THE PESSOPTIMIST

Assignments: Short response to reading; Bibliography (research project) in UW Libraries