MELC 334 A: Culture of the Arab World

Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures

________________________________________

MELC 334/534
Culture of the Arab World
University of Washington
Spring Quarter 2025

Class Time:        Wednesday 3:30 pm – 5:20 pm
Classroom:        DEN 111

Instructor:        Dr. Hussein M. Elkhafaifi
Office:              M 220C Denny

Phone:             MELC Office:  206 543 6033

E-mail:             hme3@uw.edu  

Office Hours:  Wednesday 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Course Description

This course offers a general survey of the linguistic, geographical, historical, social, religious, cultural, and artistic aspects of the modern Arab world. Special attention will be given to the Arabic language, family, the role of the past and of social change, and Arab art and music. A good deal of the course is specifically intended to increase students' sensitivity to racial bias and sharpen awareness of multicultural issues. Ideally, the course is intended to increase tolerance and understanding by providing students with a realistic view of the cultural contours of the modern Arab World and the richness of the Arab cultural heritage. The course material will be explored through lectures and videos in addition to discussions based upon the assigned readings and lectures.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will

1.    Acquire general knowledge and realistic view of the linguistic, geographic, historical, social, cultural, political, and artistic aspects of the Arab world today.
2.    Learn to interpret specific cultural, religious, and social customs involved in Arab behavior and practices.
3.    Raise their consciousness about diversity, stereotyping, and prejudice.
4.    Heighten their interest in the culture and to enable them to explore it from multiple perspectives. 
5.    Enhance their skills for conducting research about the culture.

Course Materials

All required readings and links to videos are provided on the Canvas course website.
Readings are selected from Bassam Frangieh, An Introduction to Modern Arab Culture, Cognella Academic Publishing, 2018, and Dwight Reynolds, The Cambridge Companion to Modern Arab Culture, Cambridge University Press, 2015. 

Student Assessment:

Reading Responses    35%
Group Oral Presentations    20%
Class Participation    15%
Discussion Board    30%
TOTAL:    100%

Grading Policy

Refer to the Grading Scale at the end of this syllabus.

This course is a seminar, with a considerable amount of weekly reading, video viewing, and heavy emphasis on preparation and discussion. Attendance and participation are essential.

Incompletes

Incompletes are only permitted as defined in writing by the University of Washington, within the limits outlined by UW academic policy. https://registrar.washington.edu/students/incomplete-grades/.

Course Requirements:

Effort Required

The policy of the UW curriculum committee is that each credit multiplied by 3 is the amount of time a course should take per week. Thus, this course requires 15 hours per week of work, including time spent attending class, studying, and doing homework.

Reading/Viewing Responses

Every week, each student will submit a written 2-3 page overview of the readings/videos, identifying the major substantive issues and posing questions for class discussion. The overview of the readings/videos should not be summaries of the readings; instead, they should highlight the key analytical issues raised in the readings/videos. Use size 14 font and single space your Word document.

Group Oral Presentation

Each class session, a group of students will take responsibility for presenting the readings by highlighting the key issues, concepts and debates and by posing questions for class discussion. Presentations should be about 20-30 minutes and should be designed to initiate focused and critical discussion of the readings. The group will prepare a PowerPoint and upload it to Canvas by the due date.  The Notes pages for PowerPoint must be uploaded as well. Each group will cover one class session. Note: Students who are presenting that week must also submit the written 2-3-page reflection to Canvas.

Class Participation

I expect you to attend every class unless you let me know in advance. Keep in mind that 15 percent of your course grade is based on class participation, and that the only way to participate in class discussions and activities is to be there for them. Active participation in class is essential. Students cannot participate if they are not in class. There is no substitute or “make-up” for class participation. If you miss class (for any reason), you will not receive participation credit for that day. You are expected to attend all classes and to arrive on time. Class participation includes doing the assigned readings PRIOR to class, posing and answering questions in class, as well as taking part in class discussion in a substantive way each week.

Discussion Board

Your active discussion of the class readings and lecture content is part of your class participation requirement. You must submit comments and questions to the group, via Assignments. Please use the discussion board to pose course-related questions for your classmates concerning assignments, readings, videos, or lectures. The discussion board is also a place for you to ask specific questions, such as “what is pidgin,” or “I don’t know what is meant by “diglossia.” Please observe common courtesy and respect with postings just as you practice these in class. I’ll read the postings but mostly be quiet. I want this to be a place where you can think out loud together about course content, without intrusion from me. Do not wait until the last minute to post your comments, leave ample time for responses. Check often to see if new comments have been submitted and post your own early. Comments submitted after class will not be counted.

Diversity in the Classroom

I consider this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect, and I welcome individuals of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs, gender identities, gender expressions, national origins, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, ability and other visible and nonvisible differences. All members of this class are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming and inclusive environment for every other member of the class.

I will gladly honor your request to address you by your chosen name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of your preference at any time during the quarter. 

INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Student Conduct

The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121) defines prohibited academic and behavioral conduct and describes how the University holds students accountable as they pursue their academic goals. Allegations of misconduct by students may be referred to the appropriate campus office for investigation and resolution. More information can be found online at https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/WAC/478-121TOC.html. 

Inclusion 

UW strives to create a welcoming environment for all students. Please speak to or email the professor for assistance related to inclusion in the classroom learning community. Examples are personal pronouns, disability, neurodiversity, accommodations, privacy, disclosure, religious observance schedules, and learning preferences. When there is a safe and open atmosphere for discussing our diversity, it creates a better learning environment for all.

Access and Accommodations

Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course.
If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924 or uwdrs@uw.edu or disability.uw.edu. DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

Religious Accommodations

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at:  https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/ 
Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodation Request Form:  https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/ 

Grading Scale:

Per UW policy I cannot discuss grades via email. Please make an appointment to talk in my office if you have concerns.