MESA 260 - From Travelogues to Blogs: American Depictions of the Middle East

FDR: HL Literature Distribution
Credits: 3

What do stories and firsthand “insights” from tourists tell us about ourselves and the world? This course examines American representations of the Middle East from the nineteenth to the twenty-first centuries. Through the genre of travel writing, students explore tourist perspectives on issues such as religion, gender, politics, and society while learning about the rich history and culture of the region. The role that individuals from the Middle East play in shaping perceptions is also studied. Through discussion and the critical reading of primary sources, such as travelogues, blogs, and Instagram feeds, students learn how “the American” and “the Other” are constructed in political, cultural, and religious discourses.