This seminar examines anthropological approaches to the study of the Middle East (or Southwest Asia) and North Africa, with a primary focus on what is called “the Arab world.” Situated in the longue durée of the region, we examine how anthropologists have engaged in ethnographic studies of gender, religion, politics, health, labor, infrastructure, and more. Ultimately, this course aims to help us think about what the human can teach us about the MENA region and, conversely, what the region can teach us about being human. This course is a Humanities Council Magic Project that includes mandatory pedagogical travel to Jordan during the break.
