ARAB 221
Humor in Classical Arabic Literature Fall 2016
Division I
Cross-listed COMP 291
This is not the current course catalog

Class Details

Party-crashers, misers, fools, and so-called ignoramuses inspired littérateurs in medieval Arabo-Islamic society to compose various texts that detail the antisocial habits and roguish behaviors of such figures. These littérateurs employed humor and satire in these texts that depict a pluralistic, egalitarian society antithetical to prevailing contemporary depictions of “medieval Islam” and compel us to rethink the image of the uptight Muslim and the discourse of civilizational clash.This course will be devoted to a close reading of a selection of humorous classical Arabic texts that treat such figures. We will consider how stories of these figures might be received, their effect on the audience, and their possible functions in a cosmopolitan society that placed a premium on hospitality and generosity. All readings in English, although those with Arabic language competency are invited to make comparisons with the original where possible.
The Class: Format: seminar
Limit: 20
Expected: 15
Class#: 1333
Grading: no pass/fail option, no fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation: class participation (40%), weekly responses (30%), final paper (30%)
Extra Info: may not be taken on a pass/fail basis; not available for the fifth course option
Prerequisites: none
Enrollment Preferences: Comparative Literature and Arabic Studies Students
Distributions: Division I
Notes: meets Division 1 requirement if registration is under ARAB
This course is cross-listed and the prefixes carry the following divisional credit:
COMP 291 Division I ARAB 221 Division I

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