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Department of Arabic Studies
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Professors: B. O'Kane, M. El Rabie, H. Sakkout , G. Scanlon (on leave), M. Serag
Associate Professors: E. Fernandes, N. Hanna (Chair), H. Lutfi (on leave), S. Mehrez, E. Sartain
Assistant Professors: T. AshShareef, C. Burt, C. Karim, S. Sears
The department of Arabic Studies provides a multi-disciplinary framework for the study of the history and culture of the Middle East since the rise of Islam. It seeks to explain the thought, movements, processes, institutions and identities of Arab-Islamic civilization. These include but are not limited to aesthetic and intellectual production, political and religious thought, cross-cultural interaction, commerce and economic relations, government, and social, political and religious loyalties. The study and appreciation of these fields forms an important part of the university's mission to give students greater awareness and appreciation of the heritage of the Middle East.
Bachelor of Arts
The objective of the Bachelor of Arts is to develop a broad awareness of Arab-Islamic civilization and to develop in students the ability to examine critically the different aesthetic, intellectual and cultural components of this civilization. Each student is required to fulfill Arabic language requirements and take a common core of courses from Arabic Literature, Islamic Studies, Middle Eastern History and Islamic Art and Architecture. Students should find opportunities in any line of work where knowledge of Middle Eastern culture or analytical and communication skills are important.
A total of 120 credits is required for the degree in Arabic Studies.
Language Requirements
Students must demonstrate their proficiency in Arabic at the advanced level, either by completing ALNG 312 or its equivalent, or by taking a proficiency test, or by holding the Thanawiya ‘Amma. Students must reach this level of proficiency before their senior year. The department may give permission for deferral until the senior year in exceptional cases. However, students should note that advanced-level proficiency is a prerequisite for enrollment in certain Arabic literature courses, as described below. Students who are required to take Arabic language proficiency courses may use a maximum of 15 hours of their elective credits to take language courses in Intermediate or Advanced Arabic. Elementary Arabic courses may not be taken for credit.
Students should have the Thanawiya ‘Amma certificate, evidence of advanced-level proficiency or consent of instructor before enrolling in any Arabic literature course which is taught in Arabic, or in ARBS 317 and 417, for which the readings are in Arabic.
Core Curriculum (40 credits)
ARBS majors must fulfill their Core Curriculum Arab History and Arabic Literature requirements by taking any 300-level Arabic literature course (or any two courses, where university regulations require this), and any 300-level Middle Eastern history course other than ARBS 343. They should take the introductory 200-level courses required by their major before fulfilling their Core Curriculum requirements.
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Concentration requirements (48 credits)
All students must take 24 credit hours as follows:
Arabic literature (6 credits)
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EITHER |
ARBS |
201 |
Introduction to Classical Arabic Literature, 3 cr. |
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and |
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ARBS |
202 |
Introduction to Modern Arabic Literature, 3 cr. |
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OR
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ARB
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203
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Classical Arabic Literature in Translation, 3 cr.
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and |
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ARBS |
204 |
Modern Arabic Literature in Translation, 3 cr. |
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Middle Eastern history (6 credits)
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ARBS |
246 |
Survey of Arab History, 3 cr. |
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343 |
Arab-Islamic Civilization in the Classical Age, 600-945 A.D., 3 cr. |
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Islamic Studies (6 credits)
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ARBS |
335 |
Introduction to Islam, 3 cr. |
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435 |
Studies in the Qur'an, 3 cr. |
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Islamic Art and Architecture (6 credits)
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ARBS |
206 |
Art and Architecture of the City of Cairo, 3 cr. |
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270 |
Introduction to Islamic Art and Architecture I, 3 cr. |
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Each student must take another 24 credits of ARBS courses, chosen with the help of the advisor. These must include two additional 400-level courses. Students may, if they wish, take a specialization in Middle Eastern History or in Arabic Literature.
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Specialization in Middle Eastern History
Students who wish to specialize in this field must take a minimum of 18 of these 24 credits in Middle Eastern history, medieval and modern. These must include two 400-level courses, and at least one course on modern Middle Eastern history. Students may choose from among the following courses offered by the Department of Arabic Studies (ARBS) and by the Department of History (HIST):
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ARBS |
320 |
Introduction to Sufism, 3 cr. |
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321 |
Social and Cultural History of the Middle East, 600-1800 A.D., 3 cr. |
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ARBS |
322 |
Land, Trade and Power: a History of Economic Relations in the Middle East, 600-1800 A.D., 3 cr. |
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323 |
Marriage and the Family in the Medieval and Early Modern Middle East, 3 cr. |
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324 |
Non-Muslim Communities in the Muslim World, 3 cr. |
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336 |
Studies in Ibn Khaldun, 3 cr. |
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344 |
Arab-Islamic Civilization in the Middle Period, 945-1380 A.D., 3 cr. |
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345 |
Islamic Civilization, 1380-1800 A.D., 3 cr. |
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353 |
Muslim Political Thought, 3 cr. |
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404 |
Sira, Hadith and Tafsir, 3 cr. |
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439 |
Islamic Law, 3 cr. |
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440 |
Arabic Historical Literature, 3 cr. |
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451 |
Islamic Institutions, 3 cr. |
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460 |
Selected Topics in Middle Eastern History, 600-1800 A.D., 3 cr. |
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463 |
Selected Topics in the History of Islamic Thought and Institutions, 3 cr. |
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HIST |
355 |
History of the Modern Middle East, 1700-1900, 3 cr. |
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356 |
History of the Middle East in the Twentieth Century, 3 cr. |
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454 |
Modern Movements in Islam, 3 cr. |
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462 |
Selected Topics in the History of the Modern Middle East, 3 cr. |
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Specialization in Arabic Literature
Students who wish to specialize in this field must take a minimum of 18 of these 24 credits in Arabic literature, chosen from the list below. It is expected that these courses will be taken in Arabic. However, a student may take up to two Arabic literature courses taught in English, on condition that he/she reads the assigned texts in Arabic. In such cases, the course will be registered for that student under the rubric ARBS 317 or 417, Special Studies in Arabic Texts, as appropriate. |
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ARBS |
301 |
The Classical Tradition I, 3 cr. |
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302 |
The Classical tradition II, 3 cr. |
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303 |
Constructions of Modernity I, 3 cr. |
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304 |
Constructions of Modernity II, 3 cr. |
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305 |
Arabic Literature and Gender, 3 cr. |
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306 |
Arabic Literature and Film, 3 cr. |
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307 |
The Writer and the State, 3 cr. |
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308 |
Colloquial and Folk Literature, 3 cr. |
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309 |
Selected Themes and Topics in Arabic Literature, 3 cr. |
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310 |
Selected Themes and Topics in Arabic Literature in Translation, 3 cr. |
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311 |
Classical Arabic Poetry, 3 cr. |
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312 |
Classical Arabic Prose, 3 cr. |
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313 |
Modern Arabic Poetry, 3 cr. |
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314 |
The Arabic Novel, 3 cr. |
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ARBS |
315 |
Arabic Drama, 3 cr. |
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316 |
The Arabic Short Story, 3 cr. |
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401 |
Senior Seminar in Arabic Texts, 3 cr. |
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402 |
Senior Seminar in Arabic Literature in Translation, 3 cr. |
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403 |
Arabic Literary Criticism, 3 cr. |
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Electives (32 credits)
The student is strongly advised to use some of their electives to take a suitable minor or minors. As stated above, he/she may use up to 15 credit hours to satisfy Arabic language requirements for the ARBS degree. |
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Arab and Islamic Civilization Minor
Requirements (15 credits): Any five courses offered by the department (ARBS).
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Arabic Literature Minor
Requirements (15 credits): 5 courses in Arabic or in English from the following, depending on the student's area of interest. ARBS 301 The Classical Tradition I, ARBS 302 The Classical Tradition II, ARBS 303 Constructions of Modernity I, ARBS 304 Constructions of Modernity II, ARBS 305 Arabic Literature and Gender, ARBS 306 Arabic Literature and Film, ARBS 307 The Writer and the State, ARBS 308 Colloquial and Folk Literature, ARBS 309 Selected Themes and Topics in Arabic Literature, ARBS 310 Selected Themes and Topics in Arabic Literature in Translation, ARBS 311 Classical Arabic Poetry, ARBS 312 Classical Arabic Prose, ARBS 313 Modern Arabic Poetry, ARBS 314 The Arabic Novel, ARBS 315 Arabic Drama, ARBS 316 The Arabic Short Story, ARBS 401 Senior Seminar in Arabic Texts, ARBS 402 Senior Seminar in Arabic Literature in Translation, ARBS 403 Arabic Literary Criticism. |
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Classical/Medieval Islamic History Minor
Requirements (15 credits): 5 courses from the following, depending on the student's area of interest: ARBS 320 Introduction to Sufism, ARBS 321 Social and Cultural History of the Middle East, 600-1800 A.D., ARBS 322 Land, Trade and Power: a History of Economic Relations in the Middle East, 600-1800 A.D., ARBS 323 Marriage and the Family in the Medieval and Early Modern Middle East, ARBS 324 Non-Muslim Communities in the Muslim World, ARBS 336 Studies in Ibn Khaldun, ARBS 343 Arab-Islamic Civilization in the Classical Age, 600-945 A.D., ARBS 344 Arab-Islamic Civilization in the Middle Period, 945-1380 A.D., ARBS 345 Islamic Civilization, 1380-1800 A.D., ARBS 353 Muslim Political Thought, ARBS 440 Arabic Historical Literature, ARBS 451 Islamic Institutions, ARBS 460 Selected Topics in Middle East History, 600-1800 A.D. |
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Islamic Art and Architecture Minor
This minor gives a greater appreciation of the cultural heritage of the Arab-Islamic world to interested students.
Requirements (15 credits): ARBS 206 Art and Architecture of the City of Cairo, ARBS 270 and 271 Introduction to Islamic Art and Architecture; and two of the following: ARBS 370 Pre-Islamic Influences on Islamic Art and Architecture, ARBS 371 or 372 Islamic Art and Architecture in Egypt and Syria, ARBS 465 or 466 Islamic Art and Architecture in Turkey, Persia, and Central Asia. |
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Islamic Studies Minor
The minor is designed for students, particularly those coming from abroad, who wish to gain a deeper knowledge and appreciation of Islam as a culture.
Requirements (15 credits): ARBS 404 Sira, Hadith and Tafsir; ARBS 435 Studies in the Qur'an; ARBS 451 Islamic Institutions; and two of the following: ARBS/HIST 336 Studies in Ibn Khaldun, ARBS/POLS 353 Muslim Political Thought, ARBS/PHIL Islamic Philosophy, ARBS/HIST 454 Modern Movements in Islam, ARBS/HIST 463 Selected topic in the History of Islamic Thought and Institutions. |
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Arabic Studies Courses (ARBS)
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CourseTitle |
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201 |
Introduction to Classical Arabic Literature |
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202 |
Introduction to Modern Arabic Literature |
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203 |
Classical Arabic Literature in Translation |
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204 |
Modern Arabic Literature in Translation |
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206 |
Art and Architecture of the City of Cairo |
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246 |
Survey of Arab History |
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270-271 |
Introduction to Islamic Art and Architecture |
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301 |
The Classical Tradition I |
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302 |
The Classical Tradition II |
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303 |
Constructions of Modernity I |
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304 |
Constructions of Modernity II |
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305 |
Arabic Literature and Gender |
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306 |
Arabic Literature and Film |
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307 |
The Writer and the State |
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308 |
Colloquial and Folk Literature |
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309 |
Selected Themes and Topics in Arabic Literature |
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310 |
Selected Themes and Topics in Arabic Literature in Translation |
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311 |
Classical Arabic Poetry |
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312 |
Classical Arabic Prose |
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313 |
Modern Arabic Poetry |
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314 |
The Arabic Novel |
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315 |
Arabic Drama |
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316 |
The Arabic Short Story |
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317 |
Special Studies in Arabic Texts |
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320 |
Introduction to Sufism |
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321 |
Social and Cultural History of the Middle East, 600-1800 A.D. |
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322 |
Land, Trade and Power: a History of Economic Relations in the Middle East, 600-1800 A.D. |
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323 |
Marriage and the Family in the Medieval and Early Modern Middle East |
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324 |
Non-Muslim Communities in the Muslim World |
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335 |
An Introduction to Islam |
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336 |
Studies in Ibn Khaldun |
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343 |
Arab-Islamic Civilization in the Classical Age, 600-945 A.D. |
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344 |
Arab-Islamic Civilization in the Middle Period, 945-1380 A.D. |
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344 |
Arab-Islamic Civilization in the Middle Period, 945-1380 A.D. |
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345 |
Islamic Civilization, 1380-1800 A.D. |
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353 |
Muslim Political Thought |
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354 |
Islamic Philosophy |
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355 |
History of the Middle East, 1700-1900 A.D. |
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356 |
History of the Middle East in the Twentieth Century |
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370 |
Pre-Islamic Influences on Islamic Art and Architecture |
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371-372 |
Islamic Architecture in Egypt and Syria |
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400 |
Independent Study |
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401 |
Senior Seminar in Arabic Texts |
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402 |
Senior Seminar in Arabic Literature in Translation |
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403 |
Arabic Literary Criticism |
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404 |
Sira, Hadith, and Tafsir |
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413-414 |
Arabic Syntax (Nahw) |
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415 |
Arabic Morphology (Sarf) and Prosody (‘Arud) |
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417 |
Special Studies in Arabic Texts |
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425 |
Linguistics of Arabic |
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426 |
The Phonetics of Arabic |
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435 |
Studies in the Qur'an |
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439 |
Islamic Law |
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440 |
Arabic Historical Literature |
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451 |
Islamic Institutions |
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454 |
Modern Movements in Islam |
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460 |
Selected Topics in Middle East History, 600-1800 AD |
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462 |
Selected Topics in the History of the Modern Middle East |
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463 |
Selected Topics in the History of Islamic Thought and Institutions |
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464 |
Islamic Art and Architecture in India and Pakistan |
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465-466 |
Islamic Architecture in Turkey, Persia, and Central Asia |
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467 |
Islamic Architecture in Spain and North Africa |
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468 |
Painting in Islam |
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469 |
Islamic Pottery |
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477-478 |
Islamic Minor Arts |
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