Bringing Middle East to Midwest
Sarah Jacobsen
Issue date: 10/15/09 Section: News
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Othman said she is teaching at SIUE as part of the Fulbright Scholar Program, an international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. Othman is from Cairo, Egypt. Before being selected for the Fulbright program she worked as a teacher, film translator and at the Center of Curriculum and Material Development. She has also begun her master's degree in teaching methodology. Historical studies professor Steve Tamari said SIUE is fortunate to have her.
Othman's beginning Arabic course, FLL 121-003, is open to all students, and according to Tamari, it is a valuable course.
"The Middle Eastern world of Islam includes the most important parts of the world for America today," Tamari said. "They are the parts America is most involved in and are parts we know little about." ? ?
Tamari said SIUE has wanted to offer more in Middle Eastern studies for a long time.
"It's the perfect time for SIUE to get more involved and offer more," Tamari said. "The Middle East is a critical area for our country and the world in general."
Othman's students, including graduate student Jamie Haines, agree that this course is valuable. ?
"This course is important because it opens the door to the Arabic speaking world which was, for this university, previously closed academically," Haines said.
"As a graduate student in the Historical Studies Department, my focus is on Middle Eastern History, to which this class is imperative to further my studies."
According to Tamari, the most important part of a Middle Eastern studies program is language.
"Arabic is the most widely spoken of the Middle Eastern languages," he said. "It is also the language of the Koran, so it is important to Muslims beyond the Middle East."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 6
Bill Jamison
posted 10/15/09 @ 2:18 PM CST
Unfortuantely I cannot attend but I would really appreciate if someone would ask why they behead "infidels", shoot women in the back of the head for "crimes against Islam" (including being seen in public with a man not related to her), behead any woman in the royal families who have relations with a commoner and take control of a child from the woman at around age two to instill hatred in them against the west. (Continued…)
Crys T
posted 10/17/09 @ 2:36 AM CST
Bill, given your atrocities against the English language, I'd suggest that YOU are the one who ought to attend classes on Amerkin Culcher.
As for the content of your rant, the only thing anyone with an ounce of sense can say is, "Teh stoopid, IT BURNS!!!!!1!!11!!!"
Derek
posted 10/17/09 @ 4:39 AM CST
I think that Mr. Jamison brings up a very good point. How many university programs in other countries have an American Studies program? Watching US television shows and movies does not even come close to showing our diverse American culture, just as Arabic culture is very diverse. (Continued…)
KT
posted 10/18/09 @ 9:44 PM CST
@Derek
It does not diminish an American University/institution to have a foreign language/culture programme just because some other countries do not have American language/culture programmes in their curriculum. (Continued…)
kt
posted 10/18/09 @ 10:12 PM CST
@Derek
It does not diminish an American University/institution to have a foreign language/culture programme just because some other countries do not have American language/culture programmes in their curriculum. (Continued…)
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