The course introduces students to the study of the folklore of the Middle East, with a focus on materials translated from Arabic. In the first half of the course, we will engage with folklore in its traditionally recognized forms: folktales, poetry, epics, supernatural beings, magic, and food. The second half of the course is dedicated to the expanding realm of cultural genres and practices that interest practitioners of folkloristics today: conspiracy theories, rumors or “fake news,” pop-music, graphic art, films, and social media
