NES 4560 - Theory and Method in Near Eastern Studies

(CA-AS) (CU-ITL)

Spring. 4 credits. Student option grading.

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

D. Powers.

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 influential works in Near Eastern Studies, with special attention to the concept of “orientalism”. Literary theory, anthropology, historiography, post-colonialism, archaeology, gender theory, and comparative religions are a few of the approaches, methods, and theories we will explore. Authors include Talal Asad, Richard Bulliet, Clifford Geertz, Jon Levenson, Timothy Mitchell, Zachary Lockman, Edward Said, and J. Z. Smith.