Conference on Middle East Studies
October 16-18, 2008
Teaching About the Middle East in the 21st Century
College of Arts and Humanities
California State University, Fresno
The Middle East Studies Program at California State University, Fresno, invites your participation in the first West Coast conference on teaching about the Middle East in the 21st Century. The conference brings together international scholars whose primary fields of research and teaching are related to the Middle East. One of the main objectives of this conference is to explore the constructions and contextualizations of the modern Middle East through artistic, literary, historical, religious, sociological and political works. While the emphasis is on pedagogy, the conference presents a diverse and comprehensive representation of major topics related to the contemporary Middle East. The conference also aims to create a network for scholars in Middle East studies to engage in dialogue, interact with colleagues, and collaborate in scholarship and teaching.
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Haleh Afshar, University of York, “Islam and Feminisms,” Thursday, October 16, 2008.
Dr. Juan Cole, Professor of History, University of Michigan, “Making Iraq Understandable,” Friday, October 17, 2008.
Plenary:
“What the Future has in Store for the Middle East,” Saturday, October 18, 2008.
Art Exhibit:
William Minshew, CSU Fresno, The Egypt Portfolio: Selected Prints, Thursday, October 16, 2008.
Music Ensembles:
Lian Ensemble, Friday, October 17, 2008
University of California, Santa Barbara, Middle East Ensemble, Saturday, October 18, 2008.