Critical Social Inquiry 0279 - Media and the Middle East

The global media landscape has undergone significant changes in just over a decade. In this course we will examine how US and international media sources are covering the Middle East. Some questions we will explore are: how did US entertainment and news media respond to the attacks of 9/11? How do US media represent the daily lives and political struggles of Arabs and Muslims? What has been the political and social impact of Middle East-based channels with a global reach like Al Jazeera? How have new media influenced social movements as well as perceptions of historical events such as the Arab Uprisings? The course will feature guest speakers, film screenings, and student presentations. Students will be expected to keep up with a heavy reading load and to develop individualized research projects.

Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.