Students will explore questions such as: What are the historical circumstances that have shaped Arab immigration to the U.S.? Where do Arab Americans “fit” within the U.S.' racial classification system? What is anti-Arab racism? How has it shifted throughout Arab American history? How did September 11th impact Arab American communities? What are the cultural forms that Arab immigrants have inherited from their homelands and reproduced in the U.S.? What is the relationship between socioeconomic class and cultural identity among Arab Americans? How have Arab Americans used the arts for cultural and political expression? What is the significance of religious affiliation to Arab American identity formation? How has U.S. foreign policy impacted Arab American histories and experiences? This course explores questions such as these in an interdisciplinary context, focusing on anthropological, historical & literary materials.

The course also includes a trip to the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, MI.

Course Requirements:

Students will complete two short writing assignments (~3 pages), as well as a take-home midterm and take-home final exam.

Students are expected to be prepared for lecture and active participate in discussion sections.

Intended Audience:

The course is designed for first and second year students, but is open to any student interested in Arab American history and culture.