ARAB 365: Black and Minority Cultures in Arabic Literature

Designed to highlight the influence of Black and other minority cultures on the formation of national identity in the modern Arab world. Will emphasize the work of Black artists and thinkers in places like Egypt, the Sudan, Morocco and the Arabian Gulf; Berber culture in North Africa; Copts and ethnic Christian minorities Egypt, the Levant and elsewhere; the Jews of North Africa, Yemen, or Iraq, Ethiopians in Israel/Palestine and more. In addition to focusing on the modern era, the class engages key literary and poetic contributions by minority voices drawn from the classical era, including selections from the seminal body of lyricism surrounding the Zanj rebellion of Abbasid Caliphate. The class is taught in English, but some knowledge of Arabic is recommended. Limited to three attempts.