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HIST 304: Middle East Intellectuals and Modernity
Toksoz,Meltem
Thursdays, 01:20PM-04:10PM
Allbritton 004

How have Middle Eastern intellectuals conceived and discussed modernity? We will use this question to analyze the variety in the history of thought in Middle Eastern societies in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Modernization, formation of the modern state and issues of nationalism, imperialism and colonialism, main intellectual questions of the time, will form the framework as we analyze their political, social, and cultural impact on the production of knowledge in the Ottoman and post-Ottoman lands. As such it is NOT a history of the Middle East but rather a history of mentalities, organized around four thematic/chronological modules (Reform, Modern State and Constitutionalism/Panislamism, Nationalisms and Colonialisms) each representing a set of concepts, ideas, and movements as well as facts and problems, all of which will be compared to the larger world of modern state formation both in thought and practice. The principal aim is to familiarize students with the processes of modernization in the making of the modern Middle East.

The Resource Center Spring Hours

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The Resource Center’s (website link, facebook link, instagram link) Spring 2022 hours begin on Monday, January 31st. 

Mon-Thurs (10:30am-9:30pm)

Fri (10:30am-6:30pm)

Sun (12:30pm-9:30pm)

We are located at 167 High Street (on the corner of Church and High Street across from 200 Church and Star and Crescent). The Resource Center (RC) was created to support, empower, and engage students with underrepresented identities at Wesleyan University.

The areas of focus for the center include promoting dialogue and coalition building around the intersections of race, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, disability, gender, sexuality, sustainability, spirituality, and social and political activism.  We have homey study spaces, an awesome computer lab with free printing, the best kitchen and pantry on campus with free coffee, tea, and ramen, and a dynamic group of student leaders who make the RC operate, live, and breathe- so please stop by and be part of the community!

Green flyer that lists Resource Center Hours (also included in text above flyer).

Pre-Arrival Covid Test

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As you prepare to return for the spring semester, please remember to upload your pre-arrival COVID test in your WesPortal, whether you test positive or negative.

If you test positive, you should isolate at home for up to 10 days from your test date/symptom onset prior to returning to campus. You can return as soon as five days after a positive test if you take a rapid antigen test with a negative result.

If you test negative, you can arrive at Wesleyan as planned. Every student should be tested again at Beckham Hall within 24 hours of your arrival. Please also remember to wear N95 or KN95 type masks while we repopulate campus. While KN95 masks are becoming readily available free of charge through local pharmacies, Wesleyan will have packages of 10 masks for sale for $10 through the Cardinal Tech store. We will have a limited supply available at the testing site for students who need them.

Please keep an eye on the weather as travel plans may be impacted by winter weather on Friday night and Saturday.  We look forward to your return and thank you in advance for your cooperation to keep the community safe!

Welcome Back, 2025

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I hope you are excited to resume classes this week!

As a reminder, courses will be held virtually on Thursday 1/27 and Friday 1/28. In person classes will resume Monday 1/31.

A few items to consider as you return:

  1. Covid Protocols: Very clear covid protocols have been shared with the community through webinars and emails. If you have questions about the latest COVID protocols, including what you need to do to return to campus and what you need to do when you are back on campus, please visit the Keep Wes Safe website here.
  2. Campus Dining: Campus Dining issued a student email last week with information on dining hours from now through the spring semester. Please visit the Campus Dining website to learn more.
  3. Olin Library – the Olin Library will be closed on Friday 1/28 for maintenance. If you have physical reserves you need to access for Friday classes, be sure to visit the library before they close on Thursday, 1/27. Olin staff will assist the Wes community remotely on Friday 1/28. Visit the Olin website for contact information.
  4. College of Social Studies (CSS): CSS will hold a major info session on Tuesday 2/1 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. If you are interested in the CSS major, please be sure to attend the info session. You can find more info about this info session on my blog here.

I look forward to working with you this semester. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out and make an appt here: calendly.com/deankellydunn.

College of Social Studies (CSS) Info Session

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The CSS tutors and students invite you to a CSS Info Session via Zoom on Tuesday, February 1, from 4:30 p.m. –  5:30 p.m.

Several of the CSS tutors and current students will speak at this session. This meeting will afford you an opportunity to ask questions about the CSS to the tutors and current students.

The College of Social Studies (CSS) is a rigorous, multidisciplinary major consisting of four subject areas: History, Government, Political and Social Theory, and Economics. Founded in 1959, the CSS is reading and writing intensive program that facilitates intellectual development based on weekly essays, small group tutorials, and a vibrant intellectual environment outside the classroom.

If you are interested in this Info Session, please contact Martha Crebbin at mcrebbin@wesleyan.edu for the zoom link.

Please note:

·         Applications for the CSS Class of 2025 will be available on the CSS website at https://www.wesleyan.edu/css/applying/application.html beginning on Tuesday, February 1st.

·         The application deadline is 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 10. 

·         Each applicant will sign up for an interview with one CSS Tutor and two CSS students. Interviews will take place mid-late February.

·         More information about the CSS can be found at: https://wesleyan.edu/css.

Update re: Revised Academic Calendar and Course Registration Process

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I am writing you now with important information about the revised academic calendar and course registration processes.  Due to the shift in the opening of our semester, some important dates have changed.  In addition, the first two days of classes will be held remotely.

Remote drop/add attendance:

January 27 and 28 classes will be held online.  During those two days, faculty have the option of allowing non-registered students to attend remotely. You can see which courses have made available the “Remote Course Access” in your WesPortal in the courses bucket or in the alert box. You will have access to link in WesPortal until 11:59 p.m. Friday, January 28.

Beginning on January 31, classes will meet in-person. Students should not attend in-person classes for which they are not registered, unless they have retained explicit permission from faculty. This is due to strict requirements for Covid classroom capacity compliance.

Grading Mode:

Only courses offered for “student option” grading mode allow students to choose between taking the course for A-F or CR/U.  Please be sure to confirm your grading option in your courses by 5 p.m. on February 23.  

Below are other important dates to be aware of for the spring semester:

1/20-2/9: Drop/Add Period

1/20-2/9: On-campus enrollment period for undergraduates and graduates

1/27: Classes begin

2/23: For courses in which students have an option of grading mode, the final choice must be made by 5 p.m.

3/4: Last day to withdraw from 3rd quarter classes

3/11: 3rd quarter classes end

3/12-3/20: Spring break (one-week only)

3/21: 4th quarter classes begin. 4th quarter classes may be added or dropped during the five working days following the first class meeting

4/27: Last day to withdraw from full semester & 4th quarter classes

5/4: Classes end

5/5-5/9: Reading period

5/10-5/13: Final examinations