Center for Middle Eastern Studies

Middle Eastern Studies: MES

Lower-Division Courses

301K. Introduction to the Middle East: Religious, Cultural, and Historical Foundations.

Same as History 306K and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 312K. A survey of the history and civilizations of the Middle East from the sixth to the fourteenth century. Middle Eastern Studies 301K and Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 312K may not both be counted.

301L. Introduction to the Middle East: Adjustment and Change in Modern Times.

Same as Government 314 (Topic 3: Introduction to the Middle East: Adjustment and Change in Modern Times), History 306N (Topic 5: Introduction to the Middle East: Adjustment and Change in Modern Times), and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 312L. The responses of the societies of the Middle East and North Africa (Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Israel, and the Arab world) to Western cultural and political challenges, primarily since about 1800. Middle Eastern Studies 301L and Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 312L may not both be counted.

310. Topics in Middle Eastern Studies.

Studies of areas and issues in the Middle East and North Africa. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

119S, 219S, 319S, 419S, 519S, 619S, 719S, 819S, 919S. Topics in Middle Eastern Studies.

This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

Upper-Division Courses

320. Topics in the Ancient Middle East.

Analysis of significant social and cultural events that shaped Western culture: domestication, cities, kinship, religion, writing, crafts (pottery, metallurgy), and the wheel. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 1: Daily Life in Ancient Israel. Same as History 321F and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 341 (Topic 4: Daily Life in Ancient Israel). A study of daily life in ancient Israel during the period of the Judges and the Monarchy, focusing on religion, subsistence patterns, technology, and social organization in biblical cities and towns. Only one of the following may be counted: History 366N (Topic: Daily Life in Ancient Israel), Middle Eastern Studies 320 (Topic 1), Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 341 (Topic 15: Daily Life in Ancient Israel). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Topic 2: Rome and Jerusalem. Same as History 321G and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 341 (Topic 7: Rome and Jerusalem). A study of daily life in Israel during the Roman period, focusing on Jerusalem, ancient Palestinian synagogues and churches, Jewish and Christian symbolism, agriculture, warfare, and burial practices. Only one of the following may be counted: History 366N (Topic: Rome and Jerusalem), Middle Eastern Studies 320 (Topic 2), Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 341 (Topic 29: Rome and Jerusalem). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Topic 3: The Bible and History. Same as History 372P, Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 341 (Topic 1: The Bible and History), and Religious Studies 361 (Topic 14: The Bible and History). Designed to show the critical uses of biblical and extra-biblical data for a reconstruction of the history of the biblical period. Middle Eastern Studies 320 (Topic 3) and Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 372 (Topic 20: The Bible and History) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

Topic 4: Survey of Ancient Near Eastern Art. Same as Art History 325. The art of Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Syria, and Persia to the Islamic period. Prerequisite: For art history and visual art studies majors, Art History 302 and 303; for others, at least one of the following is advisable but not required: Art History 301, 302, 303.

Topic 5: Biblical Archaeology. Same as Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 341 (Topic 3: Biblical Archaeology). Middle Eastern Studies 320 (Topic 5) and Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 341 (Topic 14: Biblical Archaeology) may not both be counted.

Topic 6: Fundamentals of Palestinian Archaeology. Same as Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 341 (Topic 11: Fundamentals of Palestinian Archaeology). Only one of the following may be counted: Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 372 (Topic 3: Fundamentals of Palestinian Archaeology), Middle Eastern Studies 320 (Topic 6), Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 372 (Topic 12: Fundamentals of Palestinian Archaeology). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

Topic 7: History of the Ancient Middle East. Same as History 331F. Introduction to the Middle East from the origins of civilization to the rise of Islam. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Topic 8: Mysticism, East and West. Same as Asian Studies 372 (Topic 11: Mysticism, East and West), Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 372 (Topic 8: Mysticism, East and West), and Religious Studies 361 (Topic 5: Mysticism, East and West). Middle Eastern Studies 320 (Topic 8) and Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 372 (Topic 8: Mysticism, East and West) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

Topic 9: Material Culture of Ancient Israel. Same as Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 341 (Topic 9: Material Culture of Ancient Israel). Only one of the following may be counted: Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 372 (Topic 2: Material Culture of Ancient Israel), Middle Eastern Studies 320 (Topic 9), Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 372 (Topic: Material Culture of Ancient Israel). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

Topic 10: Art of Ancient Israel and Phoenicia. Same as Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 341 (Topic 10: Art of Ancient Israel and Phoenicia). Only one of the following may be counted: Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 372 (Topic 1: Art of Ancient Israel and Phoenicia), Middle Eastern Studies 320 (Topic 10), Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 372 (Topic: Art of Ancient Israel and Phoenicia). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

Topic 11: Family Values in the Hebrew Bible. Same as Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 341 (Topic 12: Family Values in the Hebrew Bible). Family-related issues and social standards associated with the family and personal conduct in the ancient Hebrew culture. Hebrew 346 (Topic: Family Values in the Hebrew Bible) and Middle Eastern Studies 320 (Topic 11) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

321K. Topics in the Middle East from 600 to 1800.

Detailed studies in the civilizations and the cultures of Middle Eastern peoples from the rise of Islam to modern times. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 1: Concepts in Judaic Culture. Same as English 379N (Topic 3: Concepts in Judaic Culture), Linguistics 373 (Topic 4: Concepts in Judaic Culture), and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 341 (Topic 6: Concepts in Judaic Culture). Middle Eastern Studies 321K (Topic 1) and Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 341 (Topic 22: Concepts in Judaic Culture) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Nine semester hours of lower-division English, including English 316K or the equivalent.

Topic 2: History of the Arab World. Same as History 331J. A general survey of the origins and development of Arabic civilization. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Topic 3: History of Iran to 1800. Same as History 331G. A survey of the social, economic, and religious components unique to Iran from the pre-Islamic empire of the Achaemenids (549 - 331 bc) through the development of Iran as a medieval and premodern Islamic state. History 366N (Topic: History of Iran to 1800) and Middle Eastern Studies 321K (Topic 3) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Topic 4: Islamic Spain and North Africa to 1492. Same as History 375D and Religious Studies 361 (Topic 13: Islamic Spain and North Africa to 1492). An introduction to the Islamic impact on Spain and North Africa, with emphasis on social, economic, and cultural development. History 366N (Topic: Islamic Spain and North Africa to 1492) and Middle Eastern Studies 321K (Topic 4) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Topic 5: Jewish Life in Medieval Europe. Same as History 366N (Topic 4: Jewish Life in Medieval Europe), Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 341 (Topic 8: Jewish Life in Medieval Europe), and Religious Studies 361 (Topic 21: Jewish Life in Medieval Europe). Middle Eastern Studies 321K (Topic 5) and Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 341 (Topic 30: Jewish Life in Medieval Europe) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

322K. Topics in the Contemporary Middle East.

Detailed studies of particular areas or issues in societies and cultures of the modern Middle East and North Africa. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 1: Third World Cinema: Asia and the Middle East. Same as Asian Studies 361 (Topic 1: Third World Cinema: Asia and the Middle East) and Radio-Television-Film 345 (Topic 1: Third World Cinema: Asia and the Middle East). Prerequisite: For radio-television-film majors, upper-division standing; the following coursework, with a grade of at least C in each course: Radio-Television-Film 305, either 314 or 316, and six additional semester hours of lower-division coursework in radio-television-film; and consent of instructor; for others, upper-division standing.

Topic 2: Islam: Its History and Political Dynamics. Same as History 350L (Topic 1: Islam: Its History and Political Dynamics). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and consent of instructor.

Topic 3: Geography of the Middle East. Same as Geography 328. Major elements of physical and social environment in the region extending from Egypt to Afghanistan. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Topic 4: Business in Emerging Markets. Same as International Business 372 (Topic 2: Business in Emerging Markets) and Latin American Studies 322 (Topic 9: Business in Emerging Markets). Only one of the following may be counted: International Business 372 (Topic: Business in Developing Countries), Latin American Studies 322 (Topic: Business in Developing Countries), Middle Eastern Studies 322K (Topic 4), 322K (Topic: Business in Developing Countries). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Topic 5: Literature of East-West Confrontation. Same as Comparative Literature 323 (Topic 1: Literature of East-West Confrontation), English 379N (Topic 1: Literature of East-West Confrontation), Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 372 (Topic 9: Literature of East-West Confrontation), and Women's Studies 340 (Topic 1: Literature of East-West Confrontation). Novels, poems, and travel accounts of the encounter between East and West that changed literary history in both worlds. Middle Eastern Studies 322K (Topic 5) and Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 372 (Topic 9: Literature of East-West Confrontation) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Nine semester hours of lower-division English, including English 316K or the equivalent.

Topic 6: Management of Cultural Differences. Same as Management 337 (Topic 11: Management of Cultural Differences). Prerequisite: Management 335 or 336, with a grade of at least C; or Management 335 and 336 with a grade of at least C in each.

Topic 7: The Politics of Oil. Same as Government 365P. The national and international political complexities of petroleum; relationship of trends in petroleum economics to international political alignments. Prerequisite: Six semester hours of lower-division government.

Topic 8: Folklore, Gender, and the Middle East. Same as Anthropology 324L (Topic 11: Folklore, Gender, and the Middle East) and Women's Studies 340 (Topic 6: Folklore, Gender, and the Middle East). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Topic 9: Persian Literature, Past and Present. Same as Persian 361 (Topic 2: Persian Literature, Past and Present). Middle Eastern Studies 322K (Topic 9) and Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 322 (Topic 2: Persian Literature in Translation) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

Topic 10: Imperialism and Nationalism in the Middle East. Same as History 331M. An interpretative analysis of European imperialism in the Middle East; the origin and the rise of nationalism in the Arab world, Turkey, Iran, and Israel. Middle Eastern Studies 321K (Topic: Imperialism and Nationalism in the Middle East) and 322K (Topic 10) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Topic 11: The Middle East since 1914. Same as History 331N. An survey course covering political developments and socioeconomic and ideological trends in the Middle East since 1914; emphasis on European imperialism, the emergence of nationalist-reformist movements, and the process of modernization. Middle Eastern Studies 321K (Topic: The Middle East since 1914) and 322K (Topic 11) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

Topic 12: Oriental Carpets: Art as Culture. Same as Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 372 (Topic 10: Oriental Carpets: Art as Culture). Only one of the following may be counted: Middle Eastern Studies 322K (Topic 12), 332 (Topic: Persian Carpets), Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 372 (Topic 26: Oriental Carpets: Art as Culture), 372 (Topic: World of Persian Carpets).

Topic 13: Social Change in Developing Nations. Overview of changing social structure in the Third World.

323K. Topics in the Modern Arab World.

Aspects of contemporary Arab societies and their cultural heritage. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 1: Arab-Israeli Politics. Same as Government 320L. In-depth study of domestic, regional, and international factors involved in politics in the Middle East, including simulation of diplomatic interaction in the Arab-Israeli conflict. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

323L. Modern Iran.

Same as History 331L. The development of modern Iran from the decline of the Safavid Empire to the present time; special attention is given to the impact of the West, constitutional movement, nationalism, oil crisis, relations with Russia, foreign policy, and recent social and industrial developments. Middle Eastern Studies 323L and 324K (Topic: Modern Iran) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

324K. Topics in Iran: Culture and Modern Society.

Aspects of contemporary Iranian society and culture. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 1: Iranian Women Writers. Same as Persian 361 (Topic 3: Iranian Women Writers) and Women's Studies 340 (Topic 10: Iranian Women Writers). Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

Topic 2: Iranian Literature in Exile. Same as Persian 361 (Topic 4: Iranian Literature in Exile). Middle Eastern Studies 324K (Topic 2) and Persian 329 (Topic: Iranian Literature in Exile) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or consent of instructor.

325. Topics in Modern Israel.

Aspects of contemporary Israeli society and its cultural heritage. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 1: Modern Israel. Same as Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 341 (Topic 5: Modern Israel). Middle Eastern Studies 325 (Topic 1) and Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 341 (Topic 17: Modern Israel--Culture) may not both be counted.

Topic 2: Israeli Cinema and Television. Same as Radio-Television-Film 345 (Topic 2: Israeli Cinema and Television). Three lecture hours and one two-hour film screening a week for one semester. Middle Eastern Studies 322K (Topic: Israeli Cinema) and 325 (Topic 2) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; the following coursework, with a grade of at least C in each course: Radio-Television-Film 305, either 314 or 316, and six additional semester hours of lower-division coursework in radio-television-film; and consent of instructor.

326. Topics in Modern Turkey.

Aspects of contemporary Turkish society and its cultural heritage. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

129S, 229S, 329S, 429S, 529S, 629S, 729S, 829S, 929S. Topics in Middle Eastern Studies.

This course is used to record credit the student earns while enrolled at another institution in a program administered by the University's Study Abroad Office. Credit is recorded as assigned by the study abroad adviser in the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. University credit is awarded for work in an exchange program; it may be counted as coursework taken in residence. Transfer credit is awarded for work in an affiliated studies program. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary.

331. Literature and Society: Male/Female Roles in the Middle East.

Same as English 379N (Topic 2: Literature and Society: Male/Female Roles in the Middle East), Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 372 (Topic 7: Literature and Society: Male/Female Roles in the Middle East), and Women's Studies 340 (Topic 4: Literature and Society: Male/Female Roles in the Middle East). Analysis of traditional and changing roles of women, men, and the family in Middle Eastern societies; study of modern feminist movements in selected Middle Eastern countries. Middle Eastern Studies 331 and Oriental and African Languages and Literatures 372 (Topic 36: Male/Female Roles in the Middle East) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Nine semester hours of lower-division English, including English 316K or the equivalent.

331C. History of the Ottoman Empire.

Same as History 331C. A survey of Ottoman society and culture and of the empire's place on the world scene. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

334C. Music Cultures of the Middle East, Past and Present.

Same as History 334C and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures 372 (Topic 11: Music Cultures of the Middle East, Past and Present). A historical and ethnomusicological survey of the Arab, Turkish, and Persian music cultures. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

360. Conference Course.

Supervised individual research, discussion, and writing of papers about various general and specialized Middle Eastern subjects. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and consent of instructor.

370. Practicum: Internships in Applied Middle Eastern Studies.

Research and staff experience working in an appropriate agency or business. At least six but no more than nine hours of work a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Completion of at least seventy semester hours of coursework, including twelve hours of Middle Eastern studies, and consent of the undergraduate adviser.

679H. Honors Tutorial Course.

Supervised individual reading for one semester, followed by research and writing to produce a substantial paper on a special topic in middle eastern studies, to be completed during the second semester. Conference course for two semesters. Prerequisite: For 679HA, admission to the Middle Eastern Studies Honors Program; for 679HB, Middle Eastern Studies 679HA.

Related Courses

School of Architecture

College of Fine Arts

College of Liberal Arts

Military Science

28 August 1996. Registrar's Web Team
Comments to rgcat@utxdp.dp.utexas.edu