University of Pittsburgh

Religion has always been one of the most important elements of human society. Why? Sociologists have long turned their attention to religion—from classic sociologists like Durkheim and Weber struggling to understand the importance of religion, to the predictions of the coming death of religion in the 1960s. Along with these analyses we consider how political and economic structures both shape and are shaped by religion, examine the impact of secularization and fundamentalism on the world, the impact of mass media, fringe movements, and consumer culture.

This course is a historical introduction to the religious traditions that developed in ancient Near East and the Mediterranean. Our major emphasis is on the history of the religious traditions that emerged in late antiquity in this area and which continue to be major world religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Zoroastrianism. We focus on key concepts, historical developments, and contemporary issues. Throughout the course, we also examine interactions among these religious traditions.

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In the past several decades and especially since September 11, 2001, policymakers, scholars and individuals have been debating issues related to the compatibility of Islam and democracy, the growth of violent Islamist movements, and the causes of terrorism and suicide bombings. In many instances, such debates seem to boil down to a “clash of civilization.” To explore these issues we will examine a diverse body of literature drawing on political science, anthropology, economics, sociology, and history.

This course will examine armed struggle, resistance, insurgency, terrorism and actions by non-state actors in the Middle East. We will consider the politics and actions of different groups, as well as the way people live during situations of conflict involving such non-state actors. We will explore meanings of violence, the logic of armed groups, and the implications of killing in warfare. We will also analyze the role of the state vis-a-vis these actors and the part the state plays in violent confrontation.

This course will examine armed struggle, resistance, insurgency, terrorism and actions by non-state actors in the Middle East. We will consider the politics and actions of different groups, as well as the way people live during situations of conflict involving such non-state actors. We will explore meanings of violence, the logis of armed groups, and the implications of killing in warfare. We will also analyze the role of the state vis-a-vis these actors and the part the state plays in violent confrontation.

This course aims to present a survey of contemporary Arab society, culture and politics. It draws on a mix of recent materials (including media, development reports, modern social histories, essays and criticism) to contribute to an understanding of modern Arab history and society, and the place of the Arabs in the contemporary world. The course will cover the field through student reports on cultural and social debates permeating Arab newspapers, magazines, films, literature, and public intellectual debate

This is a one-credit Arabic Language trailer to PS 1384/ANTH 1737 that will provide an opportunity to develop vocabulary in the Anthropology and Political Science disciplines. The trailer will expand course content through articles, chapters and other media in Arabic.

This course will examine the various debates circulating in and around the Arab world related to the culture and politics of Arab societies. We will explore questions of representation in the region, whether that is Arab representations of themselves, Arab representations by the other, or minority struggles for representation. We will look at the relationship between individual, society and the state, and think critically about each of these concepts as they reproduce themselves and social relations.