Current Courses
The staff at the Crown Center teach innovative courses at Brandeis University to advance the students' knowledge of the region.
The staff at the Crown Center teach innovative courses at Brandeis University to advance the students' knowledge of the region.
Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30-4:50 p.m.
Prof. Nader Habibi
The main goal of this course is to familiarize the students with the patterns of economic development and the evolution of economic institutions in the Middle East and North Africa region after World War Two. In addition to analyzing the current economic conditions of the region the course will also look at how regional instability and political institutions of MENA countries have affected their ability to implement economic reforms. Another important topic that will be covered in detail is the impact of oil wealth on political and economic development of the region.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 1-1:50 p.m.
Prof. Muna Güvenç Ospina Leon
Through case studies of cities, sites, and monuments, this course presents an overview of the art and the architecture of the Islamic world beginning from the seventh century up to the present. Some of the themes include, but are not limited to, Islamic material culture, orientalist imaginations, systems of governance and the colonial present, search for the local identity, urban modernity and nationalism, and globalization.
Tuesday and Thursday, 2-3:20 p.m.
Prof. Amy Singer
The Ottomans in history: how did a tiny principality grow from 1300 to be a global empire by 1550 and become a modern nation state by 1923? Who were the Ottomans? What are their legacies in today's world?
Thursday, 2-4:50 p.m.
Prof. Chuck Freilich
This course focuses on the basic tenets of Israel’s foreign and defense policy, the threats and opportunities it faces and capabilities it has developed in response, decision-making processes, peace process, and more. The course is very "real world" and experiential. Students play the roles of senior actual Israeli leaders and write policy papers addressing the issues as they would.