NES 4560 - Theory and Method in Near Eastern Studies

(CA-AS)

Spring. 4 credits.

Requirement for NES majors. Co-meets with NES 6560.

R. Brann.

Requirement for NES majors. Seminar offering advanced Near Eastern Studies students the opportunity to read and discuss the range of theories and methods that have been employed by scholars in the interdisciplinary area of Near Eastern Studies. After giving attention to the historical development of area studies programs–and their current status and relevance–students read a wide range of highly influential works in Near Eastern Studies. Literary theory, historiography, post-colonialism, archaeology, gender theory, and comparative religions are a few of the approaches, methods, and theories explored. Authors include Talal Asad, Homi K. Bhabha, Mircea Eliade, Timothy Mitchell, Mary Douglas, Zachary Lockman, Edward Said, J. Z. Smith.