[MES Forum] Courses This Autumn

[McClimans, Melinda]

Middle East Studies Center at The Ohio State University Update
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MIDDLE EAST STUDIES CENTER

July 2025 Update

Courses This Autumn

The Middle East Studies curriculum at Ohio State provides students with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of the Middle East, emphasizing historical, cultural, political, and social dimensions. Students can take their research as far as they are willing, bolstered by a complete array of modern and ancient languages of the Middle East. This autumn Syriac will be offered, for example. Autumn semester will offer our students history courses that include introductory surveys of Islamic history, sex and gender in the ancient world, the Middle East since 1914, Zionism and modern Israel, The Hebrew Bible, the influence of Paul in early Christianity, the early Islamic conquests, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and more. A summary of courses in Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures follows. See the full list courses across disciplines here: mesc.osu.edu/courses-info<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/osu.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8aad9a415882af05c91822d20&id=fd9d4abc1e&e=6b437f4be7__;!!KGKeukY!3nuyKjje2fNweaxPEteGq54HEDAstDUWw4Z6VvI9Ms3P0zmaJFBZNh_HYxnFkyki4x3066dwBLE9Z203trsRYd_i$>Here are some highlights from the full list:

History

HISTORY 2353 The Middle East Since 1914
An introductory study of the political, social and cultural history and evolution of Islamic civilization since 1914. The course will examine the impact of outside power on the Middle East, as well as the region's responses to modernity; political, socioeconomic and cultural change; ideological strategy; Islamic identity and globalization; and changes in media of communication. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or GE foundation writing and info literacy course, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 3358. GE historical study course. GE foundation historical and cultural studies course. HISTORY 2353: Lecture Section 10 (35556)

Islamic Studies

ISLAM 5701: The Qur'an in Translation introduces the literary, religious, and cultural implications of the Qur'an. ISLAM 3501: Introduction to Islam examines Islam as a world religion, exploring its major tenets and beliefs. ISLAM 3355: The Early Islamic Conquests (CE 630-750) uses historical methods to study testimonies from the period of early Islamic conquests. ISLAM 2350: Islam, Politics, and Society in History explores the interaction between Islam and politics from its rise to the present. ISLAM 3201: Muslims in America and Europe investigates the experiences of modern Muslims in Western societies, focusing on issues like prejudice, integration, and new opportunities.

Jewish Studies

Jewish Studies, JEWSHST 2700: Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament examines the historical and cultural dimensions of the Hebrew Bible, focusing on ethnic, gender, and race identity. JEWSHST 2242H: Culture of Contemporary Israel explores the historical roots, socio-political developments, and cultural creations of modern Israel. JEWSHST 2201: Introduction to Jewish Culture, Thought, and Practice provides an overview of the historical, ideological, and cultural growth of Judaism. JEWSHST 3704: Women in the Bible and Beyond studies the social, legal, and religious positions of women in the Hebrew Bible and their representations in later sources. JEWSHST 2453: History of Zionism and Modern Israel covers the history of the Jewish state from the rise of Zionism to the present, focusing on migration, displacement, and various socio-political issues. JEWSHST 3480: Israel/Palestine: History of the Present investigates the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly post-Oslo peace process. JEWSHST 3245: Israeli Film & Society surveys Israeli films and their relationship with society from 1948 to the present.

Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures, NELC

Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures, NELC 2200: Introduction to the Modern Middle East provides a multidisciplinary analysis of political, economic, social, and theological issues in the Middle East and its diaspora. NELC 3111: Ancient Empires covers the history and cultures of ancient empires from the Akkadian empire to the establishment of Islam. NELC 3025: Citizenship and Diaspora examines citizenship and diaspora in South Asia and the Middle East. NELC 3667: Messages from Beyond explores divination, prophecy, and the occult in religion and culture. NELC 3102: Lost Languages Lost Cultures studies the decipherment of ancient writing systems. NELC 1125: Stories of Belonging and Difference analyzes short stories from the Middle East and South Asia. NELC 5020: Oligarchs, Penthouses, and Yachts focuses on the lives of Eurasian elites. NELC 2241: The Middle East Close-Up introduces the culture of the Middle East. NELC 2244: Films of the Middle East surveys contemporary films from the region. NELC 3700: Mythology of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia compares the mythologies of these ancient civilizations. NELC 3689: Words Across the World examines the impact of language on social life and lived environments.

South Asian Studies

South Asian Studies, SASIA 3625: Understanding Bollywood, Knowing India explores life in India through Hindi cinema, addressing social class, gender, sexuality, diaspora, family structure, politics, caste, language, religion, and globalization. SASIA 3025: Citizenship and Diaspora examines histories and experiences of citizenship and diaspora in South Asia and the Middle East, focusing on India/Pakistan and Israel/Palestine. SASIA 3220: Citizenship in South Asia engages students with literature, historical accounts, and film to explore citizenship in colonial and post-colonial South Asia. SASIA 3635: Desi Diaspora introduces South Asian communities in the US, examining connections between diasporas, identities, nationalism, and citizenship. SASIA 2230: Living Everyday Lives compares systems of discrimination in South Asia (caste) and the US (race), exploring their interactions with gender and ethnicity.

Contact & Feedback
MESC uses your feedback to drive continuous improvement. Please share your suggestions, resource needs, or ideas for collaboration. For more information, visit mesc.osu.edu or contact Center staff directly at mesc.osu.edu/contact. <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/osu.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8aad9a415882af05c91822d20&id=4fef891133&e=6b437f4be7__;!!KGKeukY!3nuyKjje2fNweaxPEteGq54HEDAstDUWw4Z6VvI9Ms3P0zmaJFBZNh_HYxnFkyki4x3066dwBLE9Z203tv2mYefl$>

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