Introductory Topics in Middle East and North African Studies (290-3-2)
Topic
Morocco in Film
Overview of class
Morocco was the 2022 World Cup underdog as the first Arab and African country to make it to the final four, but the country is little-known to many in the Anglophone world. This course introduces students to everyday life in Morocco through feature and documentary film, with an emphasis on Moroccan filmmakers. It is commonly considered part of the Arab Middle East, but it is also in the heart of Tamazgha (the Amazigh or ‘Berber' world) with a French colonial past and close linkages to Europe. Course readings draw from anthropology, literature, biography, popular culture, and film studies. Thematic foci include ethnic minorities and majorities, migration, gender, law, human rights, and religion. Students develop analytical skills, especially in regards to perspective and bias in both image production and audience reception. Evaluation will be based on weekly journaling, discussion of films, and a synthesizing essay. Most films will be available streaming on Canvas.
Class Attributes
Social and Behavioral Science Foundational Discipl
Social & Behavioral Sciences Distro Area