Pictures of the Middle East - Choose Activities

Please do not put your name on the assignment to allow for anonymous grading.

NOTE: this assignment is for CHOOSING what you will do for the "Pictures of the Middle East" assignment, NOT for the actual writeup.

Please write 1–2 paragraphs discussing the two activities you have chosen for your "Pictures of the Middle East" activity. Please note which themes the activities you've chosen will touch on. Please note which country you've chosen. Please also note how you have checked on the feasibility of your activities. For instance, if you want to read a book or watch a movie, note in the paragraph how you are going to gain access (library/purchase/etc.). Or, if you want to interview someone, note in the paragraph that you have done some initial work to make sure that you can find someone to interview.

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Your "Pictures of the Middle East" assignment will give you the opportunity to engage more deeply with two of the themes we discuss in our second module. In other parts of our class, we will primarily focus on readings that discuss historical events or political topics analytically. In the "Pictures of the Middle East" assignment, on the other hand, you will create opportunities to expose yourself to the political lives and experiences of the people of the Middle East.

The assignment consists of two activities you engage in and a short writeup (250–500 words) of that experience. There are five requirements for these activities: (1) they should be focused on the experiences of people in the Middle East rather than analytical, (2) you have to approve the activities with me beforehand through the "Choose Activities" assignment, (3) the activities must relate to two *separate* themes discussed in module 2, (4) the activities must relate to the same country, and (5) you have to do a writeup of the activities. Given these requirements, the activities can consist of anything that exposes you to the lives and experiences of the people of the country you've chosen. For instance, if you choose Turkey, you could watch some episodes from a Turkish soap opera/drama for one activity and interview a friend from Turkey for the other. Or, if you are really interested in Iranian cinema, you could pick two films that relate to two separate themes from the class. Or, if you like reading and want to learn about Israel, you could pick two books that touch on the themes.

Some examples of activities you could choose to do are:

• Read a book.
• Watch a movie or part of a TV series.
• Follow (and potentially interact with) figures, individuals, and organizations on social media or in another manner.
• Interview someone from your country of choice.

These are just examples, and you could certainly choose a different activity as long as you get approval from me. Feel free to be in contact at any time with questions about the assignment.