Faculty
Introduction
Major in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures
Minor in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures
Departmental Honors Program
Course Descriptions
Faculty
Chairperson
Professor M. Nazif Shahrani
Ruth N. Halls Professor
Suzanne Stetkevych
Professors
Salman Al-Ani, Salih Altoma (Emeritus), Central Eurasian Studies), Christopher Beckwith (Central Eurasian Studies), Devin DeWeese (Central Eurasian Studies), Hasan El-Shamy (Folklore and Ethnomusicology), John Hanson (African Studies), Iliya F. Harik (Emeritus, Political Science), W. Eugene Kleinbauer (Fine Arts), Consuelo López-Morillas (Spanish and Portuguese), Thomas J. Mathiesen (Distinguished Professor of Musicology, School of Music), Christine Ogan (Journalism), M. Nazif Shahrani (Central Eurasian Studies, Anthropology), Ruth Stone (Folklore and Ethnomusicology), John Walbridge
College Professor
Henry Glassie (Folklore and Ethnomusicology)
Associate Professors
Stephen Katz (Jewish Studies), Paul Losensky (Central Eurasian Studies), Herbert Marks (Comparative Literature), Martha P. Vinson, Steven Phillip Weitzman (Religious Studies)
Assistant Professors
Jane Goodman (Communication and Culture), Kevin Jaques (Religious Studies), Matthias Lehmann (History), Abdulkader Sinno (Political Science)
Visiting Lecturer
Zainab S. Istrabadi
Undergraduate and Honors Advisor
Stephen Katz, Goodbody Hall 206, (812) 855-4744
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Introduction
The Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures (NELC) offers a major leading to the B.A. degree, and minors in Arabic, Persian, Islamic Studies, and Near Eastern Civilization. Courses are also available to students in other disciplines who wish to acquire a working knowledge of a Near Eastern language or satisfy a foreign language requirement. Courses in Near Eastern literatures and cultures, many of which are open to students with no knowledge of these languages, may be used in conjunction with other disciplines such as linguistics, English, comparative literature, and folklore or to satisfy distribution requirements. All courses can also be taken as electives.
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Major in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures
Purpose
The major is designed to provide basic training in the languages of the Near East and to introduce students to Near Eastern cultures.
Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 25 credit hours including the following:
- Three years (or the equivalent thereof) of Arabic, Hebrew, or Persian.
- Five additional courses chosen with the consent of the undergraduate advisor.
Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Related Fields
Fields Anthropology, Central Eurasian studies, classics, comparative literature, economics, fine arts, folklore, gender studies, geography, history of art, Jewish studies, linguistics, philosophy, political science, religious studies, and sociology.
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Minor in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures
The Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures offers a minor in four different tracks: Arabic, Persian, Islamic studies, and Near Eastern Civilization.
Requirements
Fifteen credit hours are required for each minor track in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures. The minor is to be completed with a minimum average grade of C+.
- 9 credit hours must be taken in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures or relevant courses in affiliated departments on the Bloomington campus. Up to 6 credit hours of transfer or foreign-study credits can be accepted for a minor in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, with the approval of the undergraduate advisor. College of Arts and Sciences Topics courses taught by NELC faculty can count toward the minor in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures.
- For the minor tracks in Arabic and Persian, two courses are required in the appropriate language. Note: this requirement cannot be satisfied through testing. For complete information regarding credit in beginning foreign language courses, consult Foreign Language. In addition, at least 3 credit hours are required in a course related in content to the student's primary language of study but not a language course per se.
- For the minor tracks in Islamic studies and Near Eastern civilization, students will take 15 credit hours, selected from the broad array of departmental courses.
Each student's course work must be approved by the department's undergraduate advisor.
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Departmental Honors Program
The departmental honors program is designed to provide outstanding students with an in-depth training in Arabic, or Persian. Such students are encouraged to enroll in this program in their junior or senior year. Honors students must complete a minimum of two courses: N399 Reading for Honors (3#cr.) and N499 Honors Thesis (3#cr.) Students interested in enrolling in N399 should consult the departmental honors advisors and the appropriate language supervisor for Arabic, or Persian. In N399 students will do advanced readings in Arabic, or Persian in preparation for work on a research project. N499 involves a research project leading to the completion of the student's honors thesis. This course should be taken under the supervision of the faculty tutor who guided the student in N399.
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Course Descriptions
Arabic Language and Literature
Persian Language and Literature
History, Civilization, and Religion
Other Courses
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Arabic Language and Literature
A100-A150 Elementary Arabic I-II (4-4 cr.) Modern standard Arabic as in contemporary literature, newspapers, and radio. Grammar, reading, dictation, composition, penmanship, conversation, translation. I Sem., II Sem.
A200-A250 Intermediate Arabic I-II (3-3 cr.) P: A100-A150. Grammar, reading, composition, conversation, and translation, using materials from medieval classical and modern literary Arabic. A200, I Sem.; A250, II Sem.
A300-A350 Advanced Arabic I-II (3-3 cr.) P: Consent of department. Continuation of A200-A250. A300, I Sem.; A350, II Sem.
N181 Qur'anic Arabic I (5 cr.) Qur'anic Arabic I is an intensive introduction to the language of the Qur'an—its vocabulary and grammar. The course will also deal with related materials such as Qur'anic commentary, history, and Hadith. It aims to teach students to read classical and Qur'anic Arabic through a foundation in syntax and morphology.
N182 Qur'anic Arabic II (5 cr.) P: N181. Qur'anic Arabic II is an intensive introduction to the language of the Qur'an—its vocabulary and grammar. The course will also deal with related materials such as Qur'anic commentary, history, and Hadith. It aims to teach students to read classical and Qur'anic Arabic through a foundation in syntax and morphology.
N223 Conversational Arabic (3 cr.) Formal spoken or "polite" Arabic, with attention to divergences in Arabic dialects.
N255 Multimedia Arabic (3 cr.) P: A200. Modern literary Arabic as found in newspapers, magazines, television, and radio will be the main source of material for this course. Focuses on speaking, reading, and vocabulary in this genre. Language laboratory materials, computer programs, and SCOLA will be utilized.
N310 Arabic Composition (3 cr.) P: A100-A150. Readings from Arabic essayists and practice in writing of essays.
N312 Classical Arabic Grammar (3 cr.) P: A100-A150, A200, or consent of instructor. This course will present, in Arabic, the principal features of traditional classical Arabic grammar. A treatise on Arabic grammar will be utilized to constitute a base and guide for student reading.
N324 Introduction to Arabic Linguistics (3 cr.) Concise history and description of the structure of Arabic. Special emphasis on the written and selected spoken varieties of modern Arabic phonology, grammar, and basic vocabulary.
N329 Arabic Phonetics and Phonology (3 cr.) Systematic study of Arabic phonetics/phonology utilizing scientific phonetics both practical and theoretical and the phonological processes of generative phonological theory.
N393 Individual Readings in Classical Arabic (1-6 cr.) Linguistic and literary analysis of selected classical Arabic texts.
N394 Individual Readings in Modern Arabic (1-6 cr.) Linguistic and literary analysis of selected modern Arabic texts.
N398 Individual Readings in Arabic Language and Linguistics (1-6 cr.) Focuses on reading and analyzing materials in the fields of Arabic language and linguistics. Students may register to research certain aspects of these fields that are not covered by the regular sequence of departmental courses. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
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Persian Language and Literature
P100-P150 Elementary Persian I-II (4-4 cr.) Covers the basic grammar of modern Persian, along with conversation, composition, reading, and translation from selected materials dealing with Iranian civilization.
P200-P250 Intermediate Persian I-II (3-3 cr.) Continuation of the elementary Persian level. Review of grammatical structures and vocabulary, reading and translating short literary and expository texts.
P360 Topics in Studies of Iranian Languages (3 cr.) An introduction to selected works of Iranian languages in relation to social history and religious and political developments. Topics will vary from semester to semester. May be taken for a total of 9 credit hours with different topics.
P365 Introduction to Persian Literature in Translation (3 cr.) A & H Intended to provide coverage of the development of Persian literature from its earliest stages in the tenth century A.D. to the present. Although the course covers a broad period of about 1,000 years, it does so in a general way, and seeks to provide background information for students who may have an interest in Persian literature.
N240 Directed Readings in Persian Language (1-4 cr.) Readings in Persian texts selected in accordance with the student's level and interest. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credit hours.
N380 Topics in Persian Literature in Translation (3 cr.) A & H, CSA Study and analysis of selected readings from Persian literature in English translation. May concentrate on a particular theme, period, or author. Special attention paid to the historical and cultural contexts of the works, as well as problems in translation, critical analysis, and interpretation. May be repeated once for credit with different topics.
N385 Persian Mystical Literature in Translation (3 cr.) A & H, CSA Examines the Persian literature of Islamic mysticism in English translation. Following an introduction to the history and doctrines of Sufism, the class will turn to detailed readings and discussions of works in several prose and poetic genres: hagiographic biography, allegorical epic, mystical lyric, and gnostic meditation.
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History, Civilization, and Religion
N205 Topics in Near Eastern Culture and Literature (3 cr.) A & H Selected works of Near Eastern literature in relation to a single cultural problem or theme; for example, "Turning Point in the Religion of Israel"; or "History of the Modern Middle East." Topics will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
N220 Muhammad: Life of the Prophet (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Study, from an historical perspective, of the career of the prophet of Islam, Muhammad b. Abd Allah, from pre-Islamic times through his call to prophethood; his campaigns against the opposition; the establishment of the Muslim community at Medinah; the conquest of Mecca; and his death.
N245 Introduction to the Ancient Near East (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Introduction to ancient Near Eastern cultures from early farmers around 8000 B.C. to the Iron Age kingdoms of the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Iranians; emphasis on agriculture, literacy, urbanization, state formation, sociopolitical, and religious institutions, and legal and economic developments. Archaeological and textual information will be utilized in conjunction with visual aids.
N265 Introduction to Islamic Civilization (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Survey of Islamic civilization in the classical period. Topics include the life of Muhammad, Koranic and other teachings of Islam, conquests and caliphates, early successor states, law, sects, theology, philosophy, and the relationship between state and religion.
N305 Topics in Near Eastern Studies (3 cr.) CSA Selected works of Near Eastern literature in relation to a singular cultural problem or theme. Topics will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated once with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
N340 Prophets, Poets, and Kings: Iranian Civilization (3 cr.) S & H, CSA Traces the culture, society, and beliefs of Iran from ancient times through the Muslim conquest to the eighteenth century. Focuses on politics, religions (Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, and Islam), administrative and social institutions, relationship between secular and ecclesiastic hierarchies, status of minorities, devotional and communal change, and Iranian influences on Islamic culture. Visual aids used in class.
N350 Modern Iran (3 cr.) S & H, CSA The history and culture of Iran from 1500 to the present, with an emphasis on developments in the last century, in particular the role of Shiism in shaping the history of modern Iran. Readings will deal with the historical, religious, and cultural background, the two great revolutions of the twentieth century, and the role of Iran in recent events in the Middle East. We will also follow current events in Iran on a regular basis.
N365 Islamic Philosophy (3 cr.) A & H This course introduces the chief philosophers, schools, and issues of Islamic philosophy. Issues discussed include the relationship between religion and philosophy, philosophy and society; the essence/existence and necessary/contingent distinctions; basis of rational knowledge; relationship between mysticism and philosophy.
N370 Koranic Studies (3 cr.) A & H, CSA The Koran in its historical role as the Islamic revelation. Its formation and compilation, the structural and stylistic characteristics of the text, and its role and function in Islam. The different schools of interpretation throughout history, and comparative studies between the Koran and the Judeo-Christian scriptures.
N399 Readings for Honors (3 cr.) P: Approval of the departmental honors advisor. Individual readings for outstanding students in Arabic, Hebrew, or Persian in preparation for the honors thesis (N499) supervised by a member in the appropriate field.
N492 Research in Classical Persian Texts (3 cr.) P: P250 or reading knowledge of Persian. Intensive training in classical Persian. Emphasis on the accurate reading and translation of classical texts, their grammatical and stylistic features, and the use of modern and classical lexica. Survey of relevant bibliographic and secondary sources. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
N495 Directed Readings in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures (3-4 cr.) Study and analysis of selected Near Eastern Languages and Cultures issues and problems within an interdisciplinary format. Topics will vary and will ordinarily cut across fields, regions, or periods. May be repeated once with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
N499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.) P: N399 and approval of honors advisor. A specialized research project conducted under the supervision of a staff member in the appropriate field.
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Other Courses
Comparative Literature
C370 Arabic-Western Literary Relations (3 cr.) A & H, CSA
Folklore and Ethnomusicology
F307 Middle Eastern Folklore/Folklife/Folk Music (3 cr.) A & H, CSA
History
C392 History of Modern Near East (3 cr.) S & H
Jewish Studies
B100 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew I (4 cr.)
B150 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew II (4 cr.)
B200 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I (3 cr.)
B250 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II (3 cr.)
C240 Contemporary Israeli Culture (3 cr.) A & H, CSA
H100-H150 Introduction to Elementary Hebrew I-II (4-4 cr.)
H100-H150 Introduction to Elementary Hebrew I-II (4-4#cr.)
H200-H250 Intermediate Hebrew I-II (3-3 cr.)
H296 Foreign Study in Hebrew (1-6 cr.)
H300-H350 Advanced Hebrew I-II (3-3 cr.)
H365 Advanced Hebrew Conversation and Composition (3 cr.)
H375 Introductory Readings in Hebrew Literature (3 cr.) A & H
H396 Foreign Study in Hebrew (1-6 cr.)
H497 Individual Readings in Hebrew (1-4 cr.)
L380 Modern Hebrew Literature in English (3 cr.) A & H, CSA
L385 Recent Hebrew Literature in English (3 cr.) A & H, CSA
L390 Biblical Themes in Modern Hebrew Literature (3 cr.) A & H
L395 S. Y. Agnon and the Jewish Experience (3 cr.) A & H, CSA
Religious Studies
R356 The Religion of Islam (3 cr.) A & H, CSA
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