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| Semester | fall semester 2022 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers |
Maurus Reinkowski (maurus.reinkowski@unibas.ch, Assessor)
Aline Schläpfer (aline.schlaepfer@unibas.ch) |
| Content | The ever-growing body of historical literature produced in the Arabic language often passes unnoticed outside of the Arab world. In this research seminar, students will be given the opportunity to work on a selection of texts written by influential historians from various parts of the Arab world (Maghreb, Egypt, Bilad al-Sham, Iraq). Focusing on texts about the Ottoman 19th century and the Tanzimat era in particular, students will identify discourses on emerging modernity, progress, colonialism, and struggles for national liberation, from the perspective of a non-Turkish periphery. Methodologically speaking, students will read Arabic original sources together with articles or chapters chosen from the secondary literature on the topic. This will help them engage in a critical reflection about 1-late Ottoman history in Arabic speaking provinces, and 2-its representations in Arab historiographies. Eventually, students will be able to assess the sociopolitical function of history-writing in modern and contemporary Arab spaces, between nostalgia and hatred towards the Ottomans. With perseverance, routine, and practice, students will quickly acquire skills to digest larger pieces of writing in Arabic language, particularly when it comes to text types such as historiography. |
| Learning objectives | Students will - Understand major issues of late Ottoman history in Arab spaces in the 19th century; - Acquire the ability to differentiate between various schools of interpreting this important period. They will also - Acquire tools for critical thinking based on reading of Arabic sources - Acquire routine in reading books about historiographical issues in Arabic language; - Deepen their knowledge in regard to frequent grammatical structure and specific vocabulary; - Gain the ability to use Arab historiographical books as source of information for one’s own scientific research; - Identify and distinguish various trends within historiographical debates (past and current). |
| Bibliography | Yoav Di-Capua: Gatekeepers of the Arab past: historians and history writing in twentieth-century Egypt. Berkeley et al. : Univ. of California Press, 2009. |
| Comments | The course will be organized as a bi-weekly course (Tuesday 2-6 pm). Please note the following dates: CLASS 1: 27.09.22 CLASS 2: 11.10.2022 CLASS 3: 25.10.2022 CLASS 4: 08.11.2022 CLASS 5: 22.11.2022 CLASS 6: 06.12.2022 CLASS 7: 20.12.2022 |
| Admission requirements | This course is addressed to MA students in Middle Eastern studies (Forschungsseminar). English as an academic language with adequate skills in written and spoken English. Note: We plan that during the class both languages, German and English, will be used. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-täglich | Tuesday | 14.15-17.30 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U113 |
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 27.09.2022 | 14.15-17.30 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U113 |
| Tuesday 11.10.2022 | 14.15-17.30 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U113 |
| Tuesday 25.10.2022 | 14.15-17.30 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U113 |
| Tuesday 08.11.2022 | 14.15-17.30 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U113 |
| Tuesday 22.11.2022 | 14.15-17.30 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U113 |
| Tuesday 06.12.2022 | 14.15-17.30 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U113 |
| Tuesday 20.12.2022 | 14.15-17.30 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U113 |
| Modules |
Modul: Vertiefung Near & Middle Eastern Studies (Master's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | This class is based on interactive learning teaching methods. Students are expected to attend classes regularly, have done the weekly readings provided in the syllabus (available on ADAM) and be prepared to actively participate in seminar discussions. Besides, students are expected to prepare one oral presentation, based on the reading of two texts (1-Arabic source of one or two pages and 2-an article or chapter in English – references provided in the schedule below). During their presentation, students read, comment and provide analysis of the source, based on the secondary literature indicated. Absence policy: missing a maximum of 1 session (2 classes) is allowed. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Nahost-Studien |