Description

This book is intended for readers who have never studied the Middle East/ or experts who may wish to fill gaps in their knowledge of the region from other disciplines. Whether for establishing or deepening one's knowledge of the region/ these fundamentals are important to know. The languages/ cultural/ religious and sectarian communities of the region/ and selected turning points and influential people in history are starting points for gaining an understanding of the diverse contexts of the region. It isbased on introductoryand graduatecourseson thecontemporaryMiddle East/ which the Center's director/ Dr. Alam Payind/ has been teaching for the past 30 years. The book's co-author/Melinda McClimans/hastaught these and other courses with him/ as well as her own/for the past 15years. The material isintendedengage with diverse – even conflicting – culturaland historicalperspectives/andways of perceivingboth Middle Easternandworld historyfrom perspectives within the region. It is not intended to reinforce a monolithic or matter-of-fact perception of the region.For this and many other reasons/ images are an important aspect of the knowledge presented. Each chapter starts with links to its image galleries/ along with other visual aids and key elements.