The Modern Period

From Louis Bonaparte’s 1798 conquest of Egypt to the Algerian War of Independence (1954-1962), colonialism has been a determining force in the shaping of Arab modernity. For almost two centuries, the Arab region has undergone a major restructuring along the nation-state model after the dismantling of the Ottoman empire and the peripheral integration into global capitalism. In the postcolonial period, the region witnessed the rise of various forms of territorial nationalisms, socialist pan-Arab experiments, rentier state models, regional conflicts, neoliberal economic transformations, and popular uprisings. The literary discourses of the region responded to the pressures of the political with sophisticated engagements.

Our class will be organized around three major themes that will be explored through poems, short stories, novels, and films. First, we look at the colonial state in the Arab World through travel accounts and autobiographies and we investigate the organizing principles of race and religion in the governance of the colony. Second, we read novels, plays, and poems that dramatize and critique the postcolonial state and pan-Arab socialist revolution. Thirdly, we study the contemporary political and economic modalities organized around the neoliberal state. We analyze narrative and cinematic engagements with the wave of liberalizations that took place in Arabic countries and we explore forms of subjectivity it produced.

Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, you will:
• Become familiar with major trends in modern Arabic literature, the modern political and economic history of the Arab region, and the application of postcolonial and Marxist thought to literary discourse
• Refine argumentative, close reading, and writing skills

Assignments:
1. Weekly individual posts
Students will be expected to post a reading response before class which includes commentary on the materials as well as one discussion question.
2. Final Paper:
The final paper is between 10-12 pages. I will provide essay prompts a month before the end of the semester. I am also open to student suggestions of research topics that match their interests. I will be available for individual meetings to discuss your final paper topic and help you brainstorm ideas. A minimum of four secondary sources are required for the final assignment.