This course explores the relationship of Arab Americans to feminism and to gender and sexual politics and will guide students through Arab American feminist and queer critique. How have Arab American women and feminists negotiated and resisted the logics of Orientalism, empire, and war? How do Arab Americans, and especially Arab American women, respond to the charge on the one hand that feminism is “a Western concept” and on the other hand that Arab women are inherently oppressed due to their “culture”? How do Arab American queer and trans people navigate competing American and Arab norms of sexual and gender politics? We will engage these and other questions through a variety of scholarly texts, literature and poetry, and other forms of media.

Course Requirements:

The class is discussion-based and requires that students engage deeply with assigned texts. Assignments are largely unconventional and include writing letters to authors we read and producing a collaborative zine on Arab American feminism. This class may take advantage of local event offerings through either performances, art exhibits or guest speakers, as circumstances permit.

Intended Audience:

You do not need to have any prior knowledge to take this class, although some background in either women’s and gender studies, ethnic studies, or both will be helpful. Both majors and minors and non-majors and minors are welcome.