ARAB499G

Crosslisted with CINE429A. Credit only granted for ARAB499G or CINE429A. This course focuses on the genre of serialized television in the Arabic-speaking countries, including miniseries, Ramadan soap operas, and the recent category of Netflix-produced Arabic shows. We will examine the history and core elements of this genre both globally and as pertaining to the Arab world. An important vehicle of cultural and artistic expression, Arabic television series interrogate pressing sociocultural and political issues - often in "real time." This course focuses on a selection of critically acclaimed television shows that offer commentary on such issues as national identity; religious fundamentalism and perceptions of ISIS; gender equality and the institution of marriage; and political and cultural regional tensions in the Arab world. All course materials are in English.