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Introduction to the politics and history of the Modern Middle. Involvement of western "Great Powers" in the region as well as internal political, social and economic dynamics of the Middle Eastern societies. Major social and political issues transforming the lives of people in the region in a radical fashion including: Ottoman and Qajar modernization efforts in the 19th century; World War I; the rise of colonial regimes; authoritarian reforms of local elites; increasing involvement of Cold War- era superpowers in numerous conflict areas; Palestine-Israeli conflict; the Islamic Revolution in Iran; the Gulf Crisis and the American occupation of Iraq; and 'Arab Spring'

City of Istanbul as a dynamic social and historical space. How people live in socially cosmopolitan, historically contested, and politically vibrant cities in a global context. Topics include: the complex history of urban development in the city; the cultural and religious orientations of its neighborhoods; competing memories of violence and belonging; and the enduring culture of protests, which have oriented political activity in Istanbul since its foundation. Field research projects in the city.

Introduction to traditional musical cultures of the Far East with an emphasis on Japan. Listening, viewing and study of prominent musical examples. Survey of unique traditional instruments and ensembles in a range of performance contexts, from sacred rituals to secular dance and theater. Traditional genres and their impact on local and global musical culture of today. Development of critical listening skills. Live performances and encounters with local masters; early morning monastery chanting; visits to Bunraku and Kabuki theaters.

The study, experience, and expression of Ma, a key concept in Japanese art, through field trips, meetings with artists, empirical research, presentations, and creative projects. Exploration and comparative examination of landscape gardens, architecture, calligraphy, ikebana, tea ceremony, poetry, theater, classical music, media art, installation art, dance, and cuisine. Visits to gardens, temples, museums, concerts, and events in Kyoto and nearby cities as catalysts for discussion of Japanese cultural identity and its distinctiveness within the global community.

Major religious traditions of Japan. Topics include: relation between religion and culture; ancient Japanese religion and Shinto; Buddhist schools of Heian Japan; Zen Buddhism as it flourished in the Kamakura period; Confucianism, as originally conceived in ancient China and as transmitted to Japan in the Edo period in its neo-Confucian form; characteristic modern practices. Field trips to religious centers to observe current religious practices.

Introduction to forms and categories of Japanese popular culture including: Japanese movies and television, animation and manga, magazines, newspapers and other printed materials, characters and product brands, sports and other entertainment industries, music and idols, fashion, food and drink, consumer goods, shopping malls and other places for consumption. Using a cultural studies framework, analyze these various forms of popular culture considering the following: different groups in society; historical variability; industry, government and media interests; and advertising policies.

Origin, history and production of genres of Japanese popular culture such as manga, anime, popular music, television drama, film and new media, and their link to current phenomena. Themed units: disaster anime; politics of shojo; otakuology; keitai studies. Analysis of media texts and how age, gender, race, ethnicity and socio-economic class are represented. Social context in which popular culture is produced and consumed. Local field trips.

The Saint James' Way as a tool to understand historic dynamics from a global perspective. Its effect on the structures that form a political and institutional system, and its society, economy, and ideology.

Primary problems and conflicts in the contemporary Islamic world and its relations with the West, as well as the relationship between Spain and Islam throughout history. Special attention to the history of al-Andalus, an Islamic state in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages, evaluating the importance of its legacy in Europe and in contemporary Spain. Spain's leading role in relations between Europe and the Mediterranean Islamic states from the Modern Era to the present day.