This course provides an introduction to the peoples and cultures of the contemporary Middle East, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. Topics to be investigated include nomadism as an ecological and political adaptation; honor and male violence; veiling, sexuality, and the construction of gender; tribes, cities and states; the role of Islam in social and political life; and the media and civil society. Materials to be used consist of ethnographies, short stories, and films. Lecture/discussion. Requirements: a midterm, final exam, and two short papers. No prerequisites. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 25.