Africa and Middle East

Exploration of historical connections between Africa and Middle East as concepts, geographic expressions, homelands, and sites of diaspora. Examination of changing definitions and connections between Africa and Middle East from ancient world until present. Students learn how concepts have changed and are constantly changing over time. Study of how Africa and Middle East fit into alternative concepts such as ancient world, Islamic world, Muslim world, or Third World. Examination of legacies of earlier trade networks, particularly slave trade, on these regions. Examination of role countries like Egypt, situation on African continent but considered Middle Eastern, play in African-Arab or African/Middle Eastern culture. In-depth exploration of how European imperialism impacted these worlds, and how process of decolonization united them. Examination of processes of immigration and emigration across these regions.

P/NP or letter grading.