NES 6560

Theory and Method in Near Eastern Studies

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2016-2017.

Requirement for NES majors.  Seminar offering advanced Near Eastern Studies students the opportunity to read and discuss the range of theories and methods that have been employed by scholars in the interdisciplinary area of Near Eastern Studies. After giving attention to the historical development of area studies programs–and their current status and relevance–students read a wide range of highly influential works in Near Eastern Studies.    Special attention to the concept of "orientalism" will run throughout the course.   Literary theory, anthropology, historiography, post-colonialism, archaeology, gender theory, and comparative religions are a few of the approaches, methods, and theories we will explore. Authors include Talal Asad, Homi K. Bhabha, Mircea Eliade, Timothy Mitchell, Mary Douglas, Zachary Lockman, Edward Said, J. Z. Smith, and Ian Hodder.

When Offered Spring.

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