MES 2400 Introduction to the Contemporary Cultures of the Middle East through Movies and Arts

[3 credit hours]

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the contemporary cultures of the Middle East and North Africa in both theoretical terms and details of daily life. The course will provide a general overview of the geography and demography of the Middle East, and will engage in a discussion of the different aspects of the life of the people in the different countries using movies. The course will focus on the different constituents of the Middle Eastern cultures as they are reflected in movies, music, artwork, paintings, video clips, literary works and other creative expressions.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

MES 3200 The Contemporary Middle East a Historical and Modern In-Depth Overview

[3 credit hours]

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the contemporary Middle East, and provide an in-depth overview of its historical context and modern era. The course introduces you to the geography and demography of the Middle East and will engage in a discussion of the different aspects of the life of the people in the different countries. The course will focus on the languages, religious identity and the impact of colonialism/imperialism.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

MES 3800 The Governments and Legal Systems of the Contemporary Middle East

[3 credit hours]

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the contemporary governments and legal systems of the Middle East and North Africa. The course will provide a comprehensive view of the domestic and foreign policies of the region by taking a comparative and thematic approach addressing the political, legal, economic and social structures. The course will also address the aftermath of the so called Arab Spring, the ongoing violence and war in different countries in the region.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

MES 4200 Current Issues in the Middle East

[3 credit hours]

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the current issues in the Middle East and North Africa. The course will provide an overview of the different issues facing the Middle East and its people. In addition, the class will provide daily follow up on current issues in the region especially those related to the interests to the students in the class.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall