Meets with F307.  This course introduces the Middle East and the various
facets of lore associated with it. It is composed of four (4) segments:

I. Introduction:   The field of folklore as it applies to "The Middle East"
	--What is meant by "folklore" and its relation to other
	levels/categories of Middle Eastern cultures.
	--Peoples and cultures of the Middle East
	--A brief overview of Middle Eastern Religions

II: Areas, Fields, and Genres of Middle Easternfolklore:
	--Introducing such concepts as: Oral Literature, Verbal Art, Folk
	Beliefs, Rituals, and Religion, Mythology, Festivals, Folklife
Studies,
	Material culture, Folk Art, Folk Architecture, etc.

III.  In-depth Treatment of Select Forms, Fields, and Genres.
	Emphasis is placed on Verbal, Social, and Mental/affective aspects
	of lore:  The folk narrative and its genres, The major anthologies
(e.g.,
	1001 Nights, Kaleelah, etc.); the proverb and the riddle; folk
poetry and
	narrative poetry; folk healing rituals, etc.  (You may treat any
Middle
	Eastern group, or emphasize other facets of lore that may not
receive
	sufficient coverage in class presentations).

IV. Your Own Work/Research in a Middle Eastern Field, Country, or Social
	Group of Your Choosing.
	(E.g., Pharaonic Egypt, Jewish tales from Yemen, Zoroastrians,
	rug-weaving, dancing, etc.)

Requirements: Interest in the Middle East, traditional culture and folklore,
and willingness to think.

Textbooks:
Hasan El-Shamy. Tales Arab Women Tell: And the Behavioral Patterns they
	Portray. (Indiana University Press, 1999).
H. El-Shamy. Folktales of Egypt ... with Middle Eastern and African
	Parallels (U. of Chicago Press, 1980).
Other materials  Handouts: "The Outline of Culture," "Culture Areas of the
	Middle East," "TEXTS," etc.

Examinations: 2 exams--(Take home)
Paper: One term paper.