USC Schedule of Classes

Introduction to contemporary Persian (Farsi). Oral practice, listening and reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary necessary for simple spoken and written expression.

Introduction to Modern Standard Arabic: Development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in contemporary cultural contexts.

Continuation of Persian I.

Continuation of Arabic I.

Introduction to the history and the study of the Middle East from ancient to modern times

Intermediate Persian (Farsi). Building conversational skills, listening and reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary necessary for intermediate level spoken and written expression.

Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic. Continued development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.

Continuing Intermediate Persian (Farsi). Building conversational skills, listening and reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary necessary for intermediate level spoken and written expression.

Continuation of Arabic III.

Political and dynastic history of Iran from the Arab conquest in the seventh to the eighteenth century.

History and culture of modern Iran from the nineteenth century to present through historical and ethnographic approaches to Iran today, richly contextualizing events and people.

Introduction and development of language skills encountered in print and broadcast media Arabic.

Continuation of Advanced Arabic I.

Introduction to problems and issues in the Middle East today: religio-ethnic rivalries, conflicting nationalisms and ideologies, the Arab-Israeli conflict, Middle East oil.

Survey of major political, economic, and cultural developments in the Middle East on the basis of documents, literature, and film produced in the region. Duplicates Credit in former HIST 280.

Historical and theoretical analyses of the complex history of Western perceptions of Islam, focusing on France.Taught in French. Recommended preparation: FREN 330 for French majors and minors and REL 137g for Religion majors and minors.

Historical, sociological and political processes that have shaped the emergence of and relationship between Arab nationalism and political Islam since the early 20th century.

A readings and research seminar dealing with one topic in the history of the Middle East. Topics will change each time the course is offered.

Individual research and readings. Not for graduate credit.