Untitled Document

Division of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages SLC 125A/Comp. Lit. 125A Contemporary Arabic Literature and Culture [ Top \| Middle \| Bottom \| Return ]

Fall 2001 M/W : 11:00-12:50 Bldg. 420-358	Khalil Barhoum Office: 40-42B / 723-3637 khalil@stanford.edu

Course Objectives 1. To serve as an introduction to the Arab world and culture for students who have little or no background on either. 2. To expound the richness of Arab culture and the diversity of Arab society through an examination of literary works representing different genres of literature: i.e., novels, short stories, & poetry. 3. To examine historical landmarks (i.e., struggle for independence, sociopolitical strife, internal and external conflicts) which have contributed to the evolution of modern Arab society and their influence on the writers of the literature discussed in the course. 4. To analyze literature written by Arab writers within a proper cultural perspective, relating it to the larger context of the Arab societies' colonialist legacy and their post-colonialist struggle for liberation and self-expression. WEEK ONE Monday, October 1 Introduction to The Arab World Readings Video: "The Making of the Arabs" (Series titled "The Arabs: A Living History") ZVC 1722 * Wednesday, October 3 Naguib Mahfouz: Egyptian society in transition Reading: Naguib Mahfouz, Palace Walk, pp. 1-199 Rasheed El-Enani, Naguib Mahfouz: The Pursuit of Meaning, pp. 70-90 (Reader) WEEK TWO Monday, October 8 Naguib Mahfouz: Egyptian society in transition Wednesday, October 10 Naguib Mahfouz: Egypt under Nasser's revolution Reading: Neguib Mahfouz, Palace Walk, pp. 200-498 Naguib Mahfouz, Miramar Rasheed El-Enani, Naguib Mahfouz: The Pursuit of Meaning, pp. 113-115 (Reader) Afaf Lutfi Al-Sayyid Marsot, A Short History of Modern Egypt, pp. 107-145 (Reader) WEEK THREE Monday, October 15 Nawal El Saadawi: Gender issues, role of religion, political pppression Wednesday, October 17 Video & Discussion: "Hidden Faces" (ZVC 8313) Reading: Nawal El Saadawi, God Dies by the Nile Nawal El Saadawi, An interview with the San Francisco Examiner/September 26, 1993 Recommended Reading: "An Islamic Activist: Zaynab al-Ghazali," by Valerie Hoffman. In Elizabeth Fernea's Women and Family in the Middle East: New Voices of Change, pp. 233-254. (On Reserve) "The social and Political Implications of Female Circumcision: The Case of Sudan," by Nahid Toubia. In Elizabeth Fernea's Women and Family in the Middle East: New Voices of Change, pp. 148-164. (On Reserve) WEEK FOUR Monday, October 22 Etel Adnan: The Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) Reading: Etel Adnan, Sitt Marie Rose Recommended Reading: Halim Barakat, The Arab World: Society, Culture, and State, pp. 97-147 (Reader) "The Kalashnikov Generation," by Maroun Baghdadi and Nayla De Freige. In Elizabeth Fernea's Women and Family in the Middle East: New Voices of Change, pp. 169-182. (On Reserve) "Women from South Lebanon" (ZVC 1787) Wednesday, October 24 Ghassan Kanafani: Issues in Modern Palestinian Literature Reading: Ghassan Kanafani, Men in the Sun Anni Kanafani, "Ghassan Kanafani," (Reader) Recommended Film: "The Dupes" ZVC 4721 WEEK FIVE Monday, October 29 Tayeb Salih: Post-colonialist issues Wednesday, October 31 Tayeb Salih: Religion & society Reading: Tayeb Salih, Season of Migration to the North The Wedding of Zein Recommended Reading: Issa Boullata, Critical Perspectives on Modern Arabic Literature, pp. 3-44 WEEK SIX Monday, November 5 Themes & Concepts in Arabic Short Stories Wednesday, November 7 Themes & Concepts in Arabic Short Stories Reading: Denys Johnson-Davies (tr.), Arabic Short Stories : Egypt: Yusuf Idris, "The Chair Carrier," pp. 1-5 Saudi Arabia: Mohammed El-Bisatie, "My Brother," pp. 13-21 Yemen: Mohammed Ahmed Abdul Wali, "At a Woman's House," pp. 22-26 Iraq: Mohammed Khudayyir, "Clocks Like Horses," pp. 27-39 Egypt: Bahaa Taher, "Advice from a Sensible Young Man," pp. 40-45 Egypt: Yusuf Sharouni, "Glimpses from the Life of Maugoud Abdul Maugoud and Two Postscripts," pp. 46-67 WEEK SEVEN Monday, November 12 Themes & Concepts in Arabic Short Stories. Wednesday, November 14 Themes & Concepts in Arabic Short Stories Reading: Denys Johnson-Davies (tr.), Arabic Short Stories : Egypt: Alifa Rifaat, "Another Evening at the Club," pp. 68-74 Libya: Ibrahim Al-Kouni, "The Drumming Sands," pp. 84-97 Lebanon: Hanan Shaykh, " The Persian Carpet," pp. 106-110 Morocco: Mohammed Chukri, "Flower Crazy," pp. 143-146 Tunisia: Habib Selmi, "Distant Seas," pp. 151-153 Syria: Zakaria Tamer, "Small Sun," pp. 158-163 Recommended Video: "Family Ties" ("The Arabs: A Living History") ZVC 1722 WEEK EIGHT Monday, November 19 Sahar Khalifeh: Wild Thorns Wednesday, November 21 Issues & Motifs in Modern Arabic Poetry: Poets after the Fifties Thurs., November 22-Sun 25: Thanksgiving Recess Reading: Sahar Khalifeh: Wild Thorns Salma Khadra Jayyusi (tr.), Modern Arabic Poetry: Adunis, pp. 137-151 Nazik al-Mala'ika, pp. 329-338 Nizar Qabbani, pp. 368-379 Video: "Power of the Word" ("The Arabs: A Living History") ZVC 1722 WEEK NINE Monday, November 26 Issues & Motifs in Modern Arabic Poetry Wednesday, November 28 Reading: Salma Khadra Jayyusi (tr.), Modern Arabic Poetry: Samih al-Qasim, pp. 380-390 Su'ad al-Mubarak al-Sabah, pp. 391-393 Fadwa Tuqan, pp. 455-462 WEEK TEN Monday, December 3 Issues & Motifs in Modern Arabic Poetry Wednesday, December 5 Review Take-Home Open-Book Exam: See Time Schedule. *Films and videos are "On Reserve" Green Library's Media Center.
[ Top \| Middle \| Bottom \| Return ]
Course Requirements 1. Essay, 6-7 double-space typed pages, comparing and/or contrasting the works of two authors discussed in the course, in terms of: a) main cultural (i.e., historical, socio-religious, political) themes and issues introduced by the authors b) relevance of temporal and spacial relations in each author c) characterization and plot development/resolution d) symbolism and chief literary devices employed by the writers (Due on Wednesday, November 14, 2001): 40% 2. Oral Presentation, Participation, Attendance: 10% 3. Final: Take-Home Open-Book Exam: 50% Required Texts: Etel Adnan, Sitt Marie Rose Nawal El Saadawi, God Dies by the Nile Denys Johnson-Davies (tr.), Arabic Short Stories Ghassan Kanafani, Men in the Sun Sahar Khalifeh: Wild Thorns Naguib Mahfouz, Miramar Naguib Mahfouz, Palace walk Tayeb Salih, Season of Migration to the North/ Wedding of Zein Course Reader Contents (In order of assignment): Afaf Lutfi Al-Sayyid Marsot, A Short History of Modern Egypt, pp. 82-145 Rasheed El-Enani, Naguib Mahfouz: The Pursuit of Meaning, pp. 70-90, 113-115 Nawal El Saadawi, "An Interview with the San Francisco Examiner." Nadia Hijab, Womanpower, pp. 138-165 Halim Barakat, The Arab World: Society, Culture, and State, pp. 97-147 Ghassan Kanafani, by Ann Kanafani. Issa Boullata, Critical Perspectives on Modern Arabic lit., 3-44. Salma Khadra Jayyusi (tr.), Modern Arabic Poetry (Selections) Available Films & Videos (on Reserve): Making of the Arabs: (Part of a Series Titled "The Arabs: A Living History") ZVC 1722 Hidden Faces ZVC 8313 The Dupes ZVC 4721 Family Ties ("The Arabs: A Living History") ZVC 1722 Power of the Word ("The Arabs: A Living History") ZVC 1722 Islam Today ZVC 51 The Image of God ZVC 4164 (Part 3) The Bonds of Pride ZVC 4164 (Part 4) Women from South Lebanon (ZVC 1787) Speaking of Peace: Israelis & Palestinians ZVC11502 Wild Flowers: Women of South Lebanon ZVC 1787 Umm Kulthum, A Voice Like Egypt ZVC 14132 Bab El-Oued City ZVC 11560 Nasser 56 ZVC 11569 Al Nakba: the Palestinian Catastrophe, 1948 : ZVC 11562 Going Home ZVC11595 Mahmoud Darwich: As the land is the language ZVC 12423 Through the Veil of Exile ZVC 6654 Children of Shatila ZVC 13109 West Beirut ZVC 14935 Further Reading & References: Arthur Goldschmidt, A Concise History of the Middle East John Esposito, The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality? John Obert Voll, Islam: Continuity and Change in the Modern World M.E. Yapp, The Near East Since the First World War Important Statement Regarding Students with Documented Disabilities: Students who have a disability which may necessitate an academic accommodation or the use of auxiliary aids and services in a class must initiate the request with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). The DRC will evaluate the request with required documentation, recommend appropriate accommodations, and prepare a verification letter dated in the current academic term in which the request is made. Please contact the DRC as soon as possible; timely notice is needed to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

[ Top \| Middle \| Bottom \| Return ]