CHLA 101 Ancient Near East and Classical Civilizations
6 ECTS
An introduction to fundamental elements of Ancient Mesopotamian, Greek, and Roman world views that continue to influence us today. Starting with the Epic of Gilgamesh, the course moves on to explore the Greek and Roman worlds through epic, drama, history, and philosophy, in some of the most influential texts from that period of human history.
CHLA 102 Medieval, Islamic, and Renaissance Civilizations
6 ECTS
An introduction to fundamental elements of late Classical, Medieval, Islamic, and Renaissance worldviews that continue to influence us today. This course focuses particularly on Christian and Islamic thought as presented in texts such as those of Augustine, Al Ghazali, Ibn Tufayl, Ibn Rushd, Aquinas, Dante, Ibn Khaldun, and Luther. Selected texts from the Renaissance period round off the course.
CHLA 103 Enlightenment and Modernity
6 ECTS
An introduction to fundamental elements of what has come to be termed the epochs of Modernity and the Enlightenment. This course explores the emerging elements of an age of exploration, scientific advancement, and radical new ideas, through selections from authors such as Shakespeare (The Tempest), Bacon, Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Adam Smith, Diderot, Bentham, Kant, Goethe, Shelley, Marx, and Mill.
CHLA 104 Contemporary Studies
6 ECTS
An introduction to some of the most seminal influences in thought that have shaped our contemporary world from the late 19th century to the present time. This course typically explores themes and developments such as evolutionary theory, Nietzschean radical critique, depth-psychology, astrophysics, philosophy of science, revolution, the absurd, existentialism, gender issues, and postcolonial literature and criticism, from both the Western and the Arab worlds.
CHLA 105 Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Civilizations (Thematic)
6 ECTS
Individualized courses designed to explore ancient, medieval, and renaissance periods utilizing a thematic approach. Examples of themes that will be explored include: Epics: Text and Context; Human Nature: Ancient, Medieval and Renaissance texts; Love: Human and Divine; Religion as Text and Tradition; Utopian Thought. May be repeated for credit on different topics.
CHLA 107 Modern and Contemporary Studies (Thematic)
6 ECTS
Individualized courses designed to explore the periods covered in CHLA 101 and CHLA 104, utilizing a thematic approach. Examples of themes: Epics: Text and Context; Faith, Culture, and Modernity; Folly; Four Theories that Shaped the Twentieth Century; Gender and Cultural Production; Human Nature: Modern and Contemporary; Language, Imagination, and Poetry; Love in the Modern and Contemporary Worlds; Monstrosities in European Modernity; Science and Society; Utopian Thought. May be repeated for credit on different topics.
CLAS 100 Gods and Heroes: Homer's Odyssey
6 ECTS
This course will examine one of the major texts on the theme of homecoming (nostos), of ancient Greek literature. Homer’s Odyssey, has been an inspiration for almost 3000 years and continues to fascinate readers with its captivating narrative, enthralling and relatable characters, and lessons of endurance and perseverance. Odysseus’ journey after the Trojan War back to his family and his home in Ithaka demonstrates the devastating consequences of war, touching on issues of fate, identity, heroism, and divine intervention. Following this hero’s adventures to get back home after a 10-year long war, will allow us to explore in depth, not just the aforementioned themes, but also the characteristics of epic poetry composition, the complexities of the plot, narrative, and characters, and the historical and cultural background of Archaic Greece.
CLAS 101 (ENGL 104) Gods and Heroes: Homer's Iliad
6 ECTS
In this course students study The Iliad in its entirety, in conjunction with representative critical and creative responses. Attention is given to the mythological, linguistic, poetic, and material backgrounds to Greek epic and the role of Homeric poetry in later Greek and world culture. Prerequisite: ENGL 100.
ENGL 103 Shakespeare
6 ECTS
A course that covers representative plays by Shakespeare, with attention to form, cultural context, and theatrical practice. Attention may be given to Shakespeare’s poetry, adaptation and reception, and Mediterranean connections. Readings may vary from term to term. Prerequisite: ENGL 100.
ENGL 104 The Iliad
6 ECTS
In this course students study the Iliad in its entirety, in conjunction with representative critical and creative responses. Attention is given to the mythological, linguistic, poetic, and material backgrounds to Greek epic and the role of Homeric poetry in later Greek and world culture. Prerequisite: ENGL 100.
HIST 100 History of the Arab East and Egypt Since 1920
6 ECTS
This course examines the political, social, and cultural history of the Arab East and Egypt during the 20th century. We will proceed chronologically, with the 19th century background which is essential to understanding the events and the world of the 20th century.
PHIL 100 Political Philosophy
6 ECTS
An examination of the main issues of political philosophy, such as political obligation, justice, political rights, and other issues. Students cannot receive credit for both PHIL 100 and PSPA 200. Alternate years
PHIL 101 History of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
6 ECTS
A survey of ancient and medieval philosophy from the pre-Socratics to Aquinas.
PHIL 102 Introduction to Philosophy
6 ECTS
An introduction to philosophy and its methods through an analysis of traditional issues in ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, and the philosophy of religion.
PSPA 200 Introduction to Political Thought
6 ECTS
An introduction to the main currents of political thought in the world (Jewish, Christian-western, Islamic, Black-American, Indigenous), with a focus on theories such as liberalism, libertarianism, Marxism, anarchism, and decolonization.
