With the instructor's permission, this course may be taken by advanced
undergraduates (email:  elshamy).  This course deals with folk and popular
religious ideologies, practices, and related manifestations in Middle
Eastern and related societies (e.g., sub-Sahara Africa). Emphasis,
however, is placed on Arab and Moslem groups.

I.  Historical backgrounds to contemporary religious ideologies and
worldviews. Religious belief systems in the ancient Middle East (Nile
Valley--Egypt, Mesopotamia, Assyria). The emergence of monotheism. Modes
of expression associated with these systems. Do earlier forms exist at the
present time and to what extent?  II.  Semitic monotheism: Judaism,
Christianity and Islam. An historical background. Islam as a sacred
ideology and a charter for living. The development of sects and
religio-political movements. The impact of these movements on art,
literature, lore, and worldviews.  III. In-depth study of the
belief-practice systems of selected groups: Cosmology, God, supernatural
beings, the soul. The cults of healing and exorcism. Prophecy and
sainthood. Ways of knowing Shamanism.  Sufi and similar organizations
and their role in contemporary social and political life. Movements
of revitalization, reinterpretation and syncretism, revivalism
(fundamentalism). Expressive forms associated with folk and popular
religious ideologies. (madnh, zikr, "epic-snrah," the religious
ballad, masrah at-ta cziyah (miracle play) etc. Festivals and
festive occasions.  IV. The structure and composition of the
belief-practice spectrum  as cognitive-affective system.

Exams: Midterm and final (take home)

Term Paper: One

Book reports: One or two. You may choose any Middle Eastern group for your
term paper. To be discussed on an individual basis.