Gender & Sexuality in Syrian Television Drama

Catalog description

In this course, which is conducted entirely in Arabic, we will study how many Syrian screenwriters involved in pre-uprising television drama managed to question the very foundation of regime legitimacy. We will study how prior to the 2011, in order to achieve the goal of prompting critique and change, Syrian television drama used the lens of gender and sexuality as a major trope. Since the 2011 uprising, moreover, screenwriters have become more explicit and less reliant on gender metaphors for critique and political engagement. Those screenwriters outwardly embracing the regime narrative eschew politics in their gender constructions and instead focus on reform of societal norms. Throughout the course, we will use Youtube clips to examine debates among cultural producers on the direction of Syrian television drama since the uprising. Satisfies the Visual and Performing Arts requirement. Satisfies a major requirement in Arab Studies through the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. Satisfies a minor requirement in Arab Studies. Satisfies an interdisciplinary minor requirement in Middle East Studies. Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement. Prerequisites & Notes ARB 202 or permission of instructor.