Description
Dwight F. Reynolds brings together a collection of essays by leading international scholars to provide a comprehensive and accessible survey of modern Arab culture, from the early nineteenth to the twenty-first century. The chapters survey key issues necessary to any understanding of the modern Arab World: the role of the various forms of the Arabic language in modern culture and identity; the remarkable intellectual transformation undergone during the 'Nahda' or 'Arab Renaissance' of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the significant role played by ethnic and religious minorities, and the role of law and constitutions. Other chapters on poetry, narrative, theatre, cinema and television, art, architecture, humour, folklore, and food offer fresh perspectives and correct negative stereotypes that emerge from viewing Arab culture primarily through the lens of politics, terrorism, religion, and economics.
Table of Contents
Chronology; Modern Arab culture: introductory remarks Dwight F. Reynolds; 1. The question of language Kristen Brustad; 2. Religious and ethnic minorities Andrew D. Magnusson; 3. Nahda: the Arab project of enlightenment Yoav Di-Capua; 4. Law Joseph E. Lowry; 5. Poetry Shawkat M. Toorawa; 6. Narrative Mushin Al-Musawi; 7. Music Scott Marcus; 8. Cinema and television Andrew Hammond; 9. Theatre Dina Amin; 10. Art Nuha N. N. Khoury; 11. Architecture Nasser Rabbat; 12. Humour Devin Stewart; 13. Folklore Dwight F. Reynolds; 14. Food and cuisine Juan E. Campo and Magda Campo; 15. Migration and diaspora Christina Civantos; Glossary; Guide to further reading; Index.
