Syllabus
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Overview of Requirements
This class will emphasize, above all, critical reading and energetic discussion of the reading material assigned. Students are, therefore, always expected to have done their reading in advance and come to class fully prepared to discuss this material. There will be one mid-term in class and two short, written assignments (about 2 pages). Topics for these short papers are based on the reading assignments and lectures. Each student or student group will do one thirty- or forty-minute oral presentation in class based on one of the works below. There is no in-class final exam, but students will write a final paper (8-10 pages long).
Required Texts
- Barlas, Asma. "Believing Women" in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an. Texas, 2002.
- Shaarawi, Huda. Harem Years. Tr. Margot Badran. New York, 1987.
- Saadawi, Nawal. Memoirs of a Woman Doctor. San Francisco, 1989.
- Mernissi, Fatima. Dreams of Trespass. Reading, MA, 1995.
- Abouzeid, Leila. The Year of the Elephant. Austin, 1989.
- Al-Shaykh, Hanan. The Story of Zahra. Chicago, 1996.
- Badr, Liyana. A Balcony over the Fakihani. Northhampton, 1998.
A coursepacket including several other readings is also required. Bibliographical information for these readings can be found in the Assigned Readings and Films subsection of this course.
Grading
| Component | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Class preparedness and discussion | 20% |
| Oral Presentation | 20% |
| Short written assignments | 10% |
| Mid-term Exam | 20% |
| Final Paper | 30% |
| 100% |
