EHG 413: Water and Society: Hydrogeology of the Kingdom
Introduction; hydrology of Saudi Arabia; factors controlling the natural resource types; aquifers; hydrogeological classification of sedimentary aquifers and their characteristics; water problems; National Water Plan for Saudi Arabia; case studies. This course includes field trips to offices of water authorities and location of water projects in the area.

EMR 101: Geology 1: From the creation of the solar system to plate tectonics
This course offers an in-depth exploration of physical geology with a special focus on the internal forces and processes that shape our planet. Students will delve into the dynamic nature of Earth, understanding the powerful mechanisms driving geological transformations beneath the surface. By examining a variety of topics from mineralogy to plate tectonics, this course provides a comprehensive understanding of Earth's internal dynamics and their impacts on the surface environment.

EMR 102: Geology 2: Fossils, Weather, Climate Change (field trip to geological site)
In this course, students will study the mechanisms of weathering, sedimentation, and geological structures, as well as the dynamics of mass wasting, glaciation, shorelines, and the oceans. The course also addresses crucial topics such as climate change, geological time, hydrology, and groundwater, with an emphasis on understanding geological resources and their sustainable use. Students will conduct field work on a one-day field trip to a geological site in the Mecca area.

GEOG 214: Geography of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
This course will acquaint students with the physical, topographical, and human geographical features of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Students will gain an understanding of the country’s climate, flora and fauna, and borders with its neighboring countries of the Gulf region. The course will also pay close attention to the country’s natural resources, the distribution of its population, its cities, and principal industries. Finally, it will examine the changing nature of the Saudi people to their environment.

HIST 214: The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
This course looks at the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him), his early followers, his period in Mecca, the flight to Medina (Hijrah), the establishment of a state there, its laws and community, and the expansion of Islam and Islamic political control under his successors: the four Rightly guided Caliphs. It will also shed light on Arabia before Islam and the religious, political, social, and economic conditions that prevailed before the Prophet Muhammad’s emergence.

HIST 218: Introduction to Islamic Civilization
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the world contributions of Islamic civilization, its history, and the impact Muslims have had on a large part of the globe. The course will consider Muslim political formations and administrative systems, Muslim art, poetry, and literature, and Muslim scientific achievements. It will also examine areas of the world where the Muslim legacy continues to exercise influence on contemporary life (e.g., Spain).

HIST 219: Orientalism
This course examines the concept of Orientalism in all its manifestations: cultural, political, rhetorical. While to Westerners the scholar Edward Said may be the concept’s best-known proponent, there are many Muslims writers who have refuted the claims advanced by so-called Orientalists. This course will cover the most important of them to uncover the meanings the term carries and its role in understanding the contemporary Arab world.

HIST 410: History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
This course examines conditions in Arabia over the past three centuries, including the first and second Saudi states, the Arab Revolt, the impact of World War I, and alliances leading to the creation of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It takes into account the relations of other Arab states with Saudi Arabia, the advent of oil and its impact on Saudi life, the role of the U.S. in Saudi affairs, and the national history of the Kingdom since the Second World War.

ARAB 102: Arab Identity, Language, and Civilization
This course looks at the Arabic language and Arab identity; it considers Arabic’s linguistic and aesthetic features and its historical progression, including the language of the Holy Qur’an; it addresses Arabic phonology, morphology, and syntax, as well as rhetoric and eloquent expressions; it goes on to examine Arabic poetry as a mirror of language and cultural identity, as well as the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy and its cultural and artistic dimensions; it concludes with the status and influence of Arabic among contemporary world languages, including at the UN and UNESCO, efforts made by Saudi Arabia to support and promote Arabic, Arabic in media and technology, and the Arabic language and identity in the face of globalization, including current challenges and methods of preserving linguistic identity and strengthening cultural belonging. The course ends with conceptual challenges related to Arab identity in the world today.

HIST 213: Ancient Arabia: The Arabian Peninsula before Islam
In this course, students will learn about the history and archaeology of the Arabian Peninsula before Islam, its political, economic, and social conditions, and the relationship of the Arabs to neighboring nations such as the Persians and the Romans. Special attention will be given to the development of Mecca’s built environment and ancient Arabian ports on the Red Sea. Sources for studying the ancient history of the Arabian Peninsula will include architectural antiquities (statues and pottery), writings and Inscriptions (rock carvings and drawings), classical and Islamic texts, and exploratory missions to the Arabian Peninsula.

ISLS 102: Introduction to Islam
This course addresses the theological teachings of the Holy Qur’an (Surah) and the many lessons it holds for believers and non-believers. It considers the historical context of the revelation, its relation to other monotheistic religions, and explains the reasoning behind the recitation of the Qur’an and the effect it exercises on believers. It further covers the theoretical and practical rules of recitation.

SOC 310: The Social Structure of Saudi Arabia
This course is a sociological investigation into contemporary Saudi society. It considers the Islamic foundations of societal organization and its different institutions, Bedouin culture, and the Saudi family structure. Considerable attention will be paid to kinship, tribal networks, traditions, religion, and community interdependence, as well as the role of women. It then addresses the impact of urbanization and formal educational institutions on traditional social structures and how they are changing societal norms.

LIT 575: The Saudi Novel in Global Context
The Saudi novel interacts with the global context through a dual process of internal transformation and external reception, grappling with social changes while being filtered through global frameworks like late capitalism and Orientalism. Saudi authors explore modern issues like social change, gender, and urbanization, but their reception in the West is often shaped by pre-existing Western perceptions of the Arab world. Saudi novels are increasingly becoming a part of the global literary landscape, but their interpretation is complex, influenced by both their specific national context and how they are translated and read internationally. In this course, we will read Saudi novels in English translation.

IC 101: Origins of Islamic Culture
Islamic culture originated in 7th-century Arabia with the revelations of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which formed the basis of the Qur’an and the Islamic faith. It spread rapidly through military conquest, trade, and cultural exchange, creating a new civilization that blended Arabian traditions with those of the conquered lands. During the Islamic Golden Age, this culture flourished with significant achievements in science, philosophy, and the arts, particularly through the translation of classical works into Arabic.

IC 104: The Political System in Islam
This course examines the political system of Islam, a framework based on divine principles, with the ultimate sovereignty belonging to God (Allah). Key features include governance through consultation (shura) and a legal system based on Islamic law (Sharia), which promotes justice, equality, and the public welfare. A central concept is the role of a political and spiritual leader, historically a Caliph, who is seen as a vicegerent of God, responsible for upholding divine law and ensuring the rights and well-being of all citizens.

LIT 582: Muslim Scholars and the European Renaissance
Muslim scholars were instrumental to the European Renaissance by preserving and expanding upon ancient Greek and Roman knowledge, introducing key concepts in mathematics (like Arabic numerals and algebra), advancing medicine, and fostering scientific inquiry. During Europe's "Dark Ages," the Islamic world perpetuated and built upon this knowledge, with scholars translating texts into Arabic in centers like Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba. This preserved body of work, including translations of Greek philosophers, became the foundation for European rediscovery and innovation when it was translated into Latin, influencing figures like Galileo and Copernicus. This course will examine this process and consider its historical ramifications.

IC 103: The Economic System in Islam
The Islamic economic system is based on the principles of Shariah, which is derived from the teachings of Islam. It has a unique approach to economics that differs from conventional economic systems in many ways. The fundamentals of Islamic economics start with the differences it has with the capitalistic, communistic, socialistic, and other mixed types of economic engines. Islamic economic system consists of organizations, institutions, and social values. Those who follow Islam are encouraged to lead a life that shows respect for others. There are characteristics of the Islamic economic system, that in some ways mirror their capitalistic and socialistic counterparts but are still unique to the economic system of Islam.

IC 105: Human Rights
This course looks at human rights in Islam. The Islamic conception of human rights is rooted in divine origin, with God as the sole source, making them inalienable and obligatory for all Muslims. These rights are based on the principles of human dignity and equality, which are established through the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and are considered an integral part of the Islamic legal framework, known as Sharia. Sharia protects several core rights, including those pertaining to life, religion, property, intellect, honor, and posterity, and places emphasis on mutual responsibilities alongside individual rights.

LIT 578: Islam in Western Literature
Islam has been portrayed in Western literature through a complex and evolving lens, shifting over centuries from predominantly hostile, stereotyped depictions rooted in political and religious conflict to more nuanced and appreciative representations, particularly in modern times. This course will delve into this topic through close readings of several relevant texts.

MGT 214: Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Islamic business ethics are rooted in principles of justice, honesty, and social responsibility, emphasizing fairness, prohibiting interest (riba), and promoting charitable giving (Zakat). This framework guides Muslims to conduct business in a way that balances profit with social welfare, treating all stakeholders equitably and fulfilling obligations to society, which is considered a religious duty. This course will consider this framework as well as the ethics required for environmental stewardship, marketing, and community welfare.

LIT 583: Film Studies: Arab Cinema
Arab cinema is a diverse collection of films from the Arab world, which began in the early 20th century as an imitation of Western cinema but has since developed unique styles and characteristics. Early Arab cinema was dominated by Egypt, which became a regional hub for films, especially musicals and romantic comedies. Post-colonial and recent eras have seen a rise in national cinematic identities and a focus on addressing social issues, politics, and cultural identity through diverse filmmaking across countries like Algeria, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Palestine. This course discusses the role of cinema in the Arab world, including its use as a political tool and the development of different regional cinematic styles.

PGE 251: Introduction to Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering
This course covers the basics of petroleum and natural gas engineering, including terminology, equipment illustrations, and basic calculations related to all types of engineers who work in the petroleum industry. The intention is for students to learn about the oil industry and to give them a good idea of how each type of discipline in petroleum engineering relates to each other.

*LIT 564 Literary Orientalism and Occidentalism
Literary Orientalism is the Western portrayal of the "Orient" (Eastern cultures), often with stereotypical or exoticizing tropes, while Occidentalism is the non-Western portrayal of the "Occident" (Western cultures). Occidentalism is often a reaction to Orientalism, critiquing Western values, dominance, and stereotypes from an Eastern perspective. Both terms describe literary and cultural traditions where one culture creates a narrative of the "other". In this course, we will explore this dynamic through the prism of a wide range of literary texts.

*LIT 567 Issues in Postcolonial Studies
This course examines the history and cultural impacts of colonialism and imperialism, focusing on topics like identity, nationalism, race, gender, and resistance. It uses literature, film, and theory to analyze how colonial legacies shape contemporary issues, including migration, environmental justice, and political and economic power structures.

*LIT 576 Saudi Literary Criticism in Global Context
Saudi literary criticism is increasingly gaining a global reputation, with a growing body of work drawing on local social contexts while utilizing both Arab and Western critical frameworks. Key developments include a focus on modern Saudi narratives that challenge traditional themes, the rise of women’s writing and criticism, and the influence of global trends like translation and international literary prizes on its visibility. This course will examine these developments while focusing on the search for an authentic, culturally-rooted approach to criticism by Saudi writers.

*LIT 577 Anglophone and Arabophone Literature
Anglophone and Arabophone literature represent two distinct yet rich literary traditions, each with its cultural, historical, and stylistic nuances. While distinct, they also overlap, particularly in the field of Arab Anglophone literature, where writers of Arab descent write in English, often creating a hybrid cultural space that explores themes of identity, diaspora, nostalgia, and cross-cultural communication, particularly between the Arab world and the West.

*LIT 579 Comparative Literature in Andalusia
Andalusia is a region of southern Spain that was home to Arab civilization (Al-Andalus) from 711 to 1492. In this course we study the region’s literary history and its impact across different time periods, cultures, and national identities. This includes analyzing how Andalusi literature both drew on and influenced Arabic and European traditions.

*LIT 580 The Nahdawists’ Interaction with the West
The Nahdawists were intellectual and cultural reformers who engendered the Nahda, or Arab Renaissance, a movement that flourished in the 19th and early-20th century Arab world. Nahdawists worked to modernize Arab society in part by re-evaluating traditional thinking. As such they engaged in a long and rich interaction with the West that involved everything from the introduction of new literary forms to scientific innovations. Seeking to borrow “what was useful from the West,” these figures modernized their societies while preserving their cultural and Islamic identity.

*LIT 581 Travelers to Arabia
This course explores the experiences of historical travelers from around the world to the Arabian Peninsula. Of particular interest are the travels recorded in the memoirs of five extraordinary Victorian women: Equestrian Lady Anne Blunt; Diplomat and Archaeologist Gertrude Bell; Writer and Explorer Freya Stark; Muslim Lady Evelyn Cobbold; and Princess Alice Countess of Athlone. Lady Anne Blunt is credited with saving the Arabian horse; Gertrude Bell was fascinated by the history of the region and was the sole woman invited to participate in the 1921 Cairo conference; Freya Stark travelled to the least explored areas of Iraq and the Yemen; Lady Evelyn was the first British woman to undertake Hajj; and Princess Alice, the first European royal to visit the region.

Future Courses :

• ▪ The Contemporary Middle East
• ▪ OPEC and Arab oil policy
• ▪ U.S. -Saudi relations
• ▪ The Economy of Saudi Arabia
• ▪ A History of the Hajj
• ▪ Islamic Philosophy
• ▪ Great Thinkers of the Arab World
• ▪ Islamic Art and Architecture