The Less-Commonly-Taught Languages Center makes it possible to study foreign languages not available in other language departments in the University. Up to four courses may be taken in the languages that are offered, for a total of 14 credits over four semesters. LCTL courses make use of the most appropriate language-learning materials available from various sources. Textbooks are available for individual purchase at the Book Center; recorded material may often be duplicated through the language lab for home study in conjunction with our courses.
Course #:
0701
Spring
2011-01-01 00:00:00
Department:
Linguistics
Prerequisites:
Students should have already had LING 0131/Arabic 1 and be enrolled in, or have already taken LING 0132
This course offers a critical comparative assessment of the main factors, actors and dynamics that shape the foreign policy making of Middle Eastern states through a variety of analytical frameworks. We are going to look at systemic and sub-systemic variables (especially power configurations), and unpack the state to analyze the impact of domestic variables (such as regime type, bureaucratic politics, and the role of individuals).
Course #:
2424
Spring
2011-01-01 00:00:00
Department:
Graduate School of Public and International Affairs/Political Science
A survey of the developing political systems of the Middle East and their positions in world affairs. Considered are the nature of political leadership, the challenge of generating political legitimacy, the emergence of militant Islam, and the legacy of Western and Soviet imperialisms. The course will examine the states of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Israel as well as the Palestinians within a political development framework. (Comparative Field)
This course will examine the roots of terrorism in the name of Islam and analyze the various facets associated with it. We will examine questions such as: Why does terrorism occur? What are its international and domestic sources? How do scholars in the field of terrorism research explain the link between Islam as a religion and terrorism as an organized crime? How can we best explain the organizational structures and methods of certain actors that employ terrorism as a means of political action? What can be done to prevent terrorism?
This course surveys the Jewish historical experience from the 7th through the 18th centuries. Political, social, economic, cultural, and religious dimensions of a variety of Jewish communities are explored within the contexts of the larger societies in which the Jewish minority lived. Through study of primary texts in translation and secondary sources, we explore the different dimensions of medieval and early modern Judaism: rabbinic literature, Jewish philosophy, mysticism, biblical commentary, folklore and popular religion.
