PEOPLES OF THE MIDDLE EAST

Course Structure

This course is designed to give students an understanding of the variety of peoples and cultures in the Middle East. We will use anthropological, historical and literary materials to offer perspectives on these diverse peoples with their diverse histories, societies, beliefs and practices. We will examine social organizations, family systems, religions, state systems, gender systems, diasporic communities, representations. The goal is to offer students historical and cultural understandings of the area of the world with the longest history of continuous settlement, agriculture, writing, cities, states, civilization and the source of three of the great world religions.

Your instructor for this course is:
Dr. Suad Joseph
Office is 220 Young Hall.
Office Hours are 10:30-11 Tuesdays and 10:30-12 Thursdays.
Email: sjoseph@ucdavis.edu
Phone: 752-1593
Suad's Web Page: http://sjoseph.ucdavis.edu

Your TA for the course is Razzan Zahra
email: razzanzahra@iqmail.net
Office: 2T Young Hall
Office Hours: Tuesdays 11-1

Course Web Page: http://sjoseph.ucdavis.edu/Anth142

The course is run by a combination of lectures and discussions. Please read the material before you come to class. Participation in class is important to understanding the course materials. You will be expected to be able to discuss the material from the readings in class. Participation is a combination of attendance and discussion of the materials in class. You will be graded in part on your participation in class and in discussion sections. There will be 2 pop quizes worth a total of 6 points. These will be on the readings for that day. Pop quizes cannot be made up except for documented medical or other emergency situations. Participation is required in class AND in discussion sections. Participation in discussion sections is critical to understanding the course materials and counts for 6 points. Participation/presentations in discussion sections will be based on the required readings and paper projects and counts for 8 points.