Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions and has been the religion of the Persian Empire throughout antiquity. It has influenced immensely the development of other religions attested in Asia and the Mediterranean in the pre-modern period. Unlike other faiths professed in the ancient world, Zoroastrianism has survived to this day, and Zoroastrian communities exist in India and Iran, as well as in Europe and North-America. In fact, many believers in the Best Religion now live in Southern California. Zoroastrian religious tenets developed in constant dialogue with other traditions, during our classes we will see how this happened in the various historical periods.

The aim of the course is to introduce the history of the Zoroastrian community from beginnings to the present day while discussing its religious beliefs seen from an historical point of view. The main text that will be used is Mary Boyce’s Zoroastrians. Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Other points of view will be introduced in class.
Days: TU TH  12:30-01:50 PM

This course explores the construction of racial and religious identities in the Atlantic World. We will consider how centering the experiences of Black Muslims can help us better understand the processes by which the multiethnic Muslim American community has been racialized in historical and contemporary contexts. We will begin with a discussion of premodern notions of ethnic difference and how the emergence of an Atlantic World economy characterized by the trans-Atlantic slave trade gave rise to new forms of racialization. We will consider the alternative geographies and political solidarities associated with Islam’s growing popularity among Black Americans during the twentieth century, as well as the contestations of Black American intellectuals who challenged the compatibility of Islam with Black American cultural sensibilities and political interests. We will close with a discussion of more recent Muslim immigrant communities and consider how the racialization of Muslims has changed in the post 9-11 context.
Days: MO  10:00-12:50 PM

Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions and has been the religion of the Persian Empire throughout antiquity. It has influenced immensely the development of other religions attested in Asia and the Mediterranean in the pre-modern period. Unlike other faiths professed in the ancient world, Zoroastrianism has survived to this day, and Zoroastrian communities exist in India and Iran, as well as in Europe and North-America. In fact, many believers in the Best Religion now live in Southern California. Zoroastrian religious tenets developed in constant dialogue with other traditions, during our classes we will see how this happened in the various historical periods.

The aim of the course is to introduce the history of the Zoroastrian community from beginnings to the present day while discussing its religious beliefs seen from an historical point of view. The main text that will be used is Mary Boyce’s Zoroastrians. Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Other points of view will be introduced in class.
Days: TU TH  12:30-01:50 PM

Emphasis/Category: Inter-Area Studies, Global Middle East
This course examines how Palestinian makers use film & digital storytelling objects to understand identity, culture, history, memory and belonging. History surveys, literature, poetry, and political documents will provide context for the film and digital media objects centered in the syllabus.
Days: MO WE  01:00-02:20 PM