Middle East Studies 225 - Colloquium: Egypt-Mother of the World

This colloquium explores the modern history of Egypt, known in Arabic as “Mother of the World” for its contributions to world civilization and enduring regional importance. Unlike most modern Egypt surveys, ours traces this history through the voices and experiences of Egyptian women. Starting on the eve of Napoleon’s invasion and ending with the Arab Spring, we examine major political transitions and cultural watersheds (e.g. the rise of the modern state, British occupation, Nasserism, Islamic Awakening) through sources focused on women of diverse walks of life whose stories capture the complex, uneven, and gendered nature of Egypt’s ongoing modern transformation. Enrollment limited to 18. (E)