Contemporary Moroccan Society and Culture Study Center in Rabat, Morocco Course name: Contemporary Moroccan Society and Culture Course number: AFST 3001 MORC Programs offering course: Rabat Language and Culture Language of instruction: English U.S. Semester Credits: 3 Contact Hours: 45 Term: Fall 2017 Course meeting times: Tue 13:00-15:00, Th 15:15-17:15 Course meeting place: Rabat Study Center Conference Room Professor: Contact Information: Office address: CIEE Office hours: by appointment Course Description This class is an opportunity to engage critically with all aspects of your experience studying in Morocco, and further your understanding of various issues in Moroccan culture and society. The texts and topics we will address include language, history, economics, literature, religion, arts, politics, and gender issues. We will take into account the heterogeneity of Moroccan society, and keep in mind the country s connection to its broader geographical context. We will aim at viewing Morocco from both a local and regional standpoints while simultaneously relating it to your own perspectives. This comparative approach will serve to identify the dynamics of Moroccan culture s major patterns and what drives the behavior, attitudes, values and judgments of Moroccans. Learning Objectives By the end of the course, the students will have developed the ability: - To understand the factors contributing to shaping a Moroccan identity; - To discuss major issues of contemporary Moroccan society, culture and history; - To identify the various aspects of transformation of Morocco since independence. Course Prerequisites There are no perquisites for this course.
Methods of Instruction The class will be conducted in the form of a seminar. Lectures will provide background and set discussion frameworks. Student participation will form the backbone of the class. As such, students will be expected to prepare alone or with another student a brief (20 min) lecture on one of the secondary readings. Opportunities are listed along with the class topic. A set of field trips and visits to museums, historical sites and social and political organizations is programmed by CIEE, and are CRUCIAL to understanding the issues covered in the syllabus. Assessment and Final Grade 1. Reaction Papers 25% (each 12.5%) 2. Presentations on Secondary Readings 20% 3. Final Research Paper 25% 4. Attendance and Class Participation 30% Course Requirements 1. Reaction Papers Each student will write a 1-2 page reaction paper on two experiences in Morocco that are an important part of many Moroccan s ordinary lives. The first will be an anthropological analysis of riding the tram lines. The second will be to compare café/restaurants in Place Moulay Hassan (Place Pietri) and the Medina. The first will be due at the end of the 4 th full week of class. The second will be due at the end of the 8 th week of class. 2. Presentations on Secondary Readings For one, and possibly more, readings per week, you will have an opportunity to introduce the material to your classmates. Outlining the material; giving pertinent context of the author and the story; and relating the material to class so far will earn full credit. 3. Final Research Paper Details to be decided by class on first day. 4. Attendance and Class Participation Credit is awarded on the basis of regular, active participation and attendance in class discussion and activities. You must read the assigned material in advance to actively participate in class discussion. Attendance Policy for CIEE Rabat Study Center courses If you are absent from class, you will receive a 0 for that day s attendance and participation. Please inform your instructor AND CIEE staff by email if you are going to be absent as soon as possible before--not after--the class you will miss.
Tardiness Policy for CIEE Rabat Study Center courses Arriving late to class is disruptive so it is expected that you are in class and ready to start work when class time begins. Participation points will be deducted for tardiness. If you arrive more than 20 minutes late for class you will receive a 0 for that day s class participation and it will count as an absence in applying the absence policy. Field Trips, Site Visits, Guest Lecturers Please note that this class includes attending ad hoc events related to the main objectives of the course, as well as field trips (details will be provided), which are not optional but an integral part of the course. Also, guest lecture scheduling is tentative. We may be shifting the classes to accommodate our guests. Weekly Schedule Most reading materials will be provided, but some may be purchased in Rabat when available. Session 1 Introductions, Course Discussion, Islam in Morocco, Moroccan Dynasties, Sept 29 Trip to Banking Museum Session 2 Zawaias, Morocco in the wider Arab-Islamic World, Al-Andalus: Rise and Fall Presentation Opportunities: Kennedy Chapters, Menocal Chapter Session 3 International Factors leading to the Protectorate and Protectorate Convention Presentation Opportunity: The Ethnographic State: France and the Invention of Moroccan Islam Session 4 The Protectorate, Politics, Economy, Administration & Religion Presentation Opportunity: Reflection on the Formation of Western Opinions, Stereotypes and Attitudes about Islam and Arabs Session 5 Nationalist Movement and Armed Resistance Presentation Opportunity: King Muhammed V s Tangier Speech Session 6 Post-independence, The end of euphoria and adjustment difficulties, Building a constitutional
Monarchy: limiting the powers of the Monarchy, Moroccan constitutions, Political parties: creation, alliances, struggle for power, one-party vs. multiparty options Presentation Opportunities: Discuss one or more Moroccan Political Parties Session 7 excursion, no class FIRST REACTION PAPER DUE Session 8 The years of lead sky: Human Rights and freedoms, The Sahara issue Guest Lecture: Chakir Lakhlifi & Shereen Talaat Presentation Opportunity: UNSC Resolution 690 Session 9 The Monarchy of Mohammad VI: Legitimacy, history, religion, stability, unity, sustainability; Strategic issues: regional and international alliances Arab World, Islamic World, Africa, Europe, America Presentation opportunities: Throne day speeches of Mohammed VI Session 10 Islamic Banking, Foreign Direct Investment, Renewable Energy, Information Technology, Remittances & Diaspora Guest Lecture: GIZ Project Coordinator Phillipe Lempp Fall Break Session 11 A visit to CNDH Conseil National des Droits de l Homme Session 12 Development Agendas; Schooling System in Morocco. The Educational Reform Human Rights: Religious plurality, freedom; media, freedom of speech; Ethnic Identities Presentation Opportunities: Revitalizing the Amazigh Language Session 13 Gender in Morocco: the Mudawana (Legal aspects, Socio-political aspects) Moroccan Feminism & Masculinity Hammam case study Immigration Issues Guest Lecture: Director of Project Wadiati Presentation Opportunities: Immigration Articles on Human Trafficking through Morocco Mudawana The Year of the Elephant (Intro & Novella) Session 14 excursion, no class
SECOND REACTION PAPER DUE Session 15 The adoption of the economic liberal model; The "Alternance" governments": Reconciliation and Justice; 2011 Constitutional Amendments Presentation Opportunity: Corruption Session 16 Social economy: (Micro-finance, rural development, self-employment, cooperatives) Agriculture: (dams, redistribution of lands, cash crops, organization of production and commercialization, food industry, etc.) Presentation Opportunity: WWOOF in Morocco Session 17 Life on the Street and Poverty Guest Lecture: Juvenile Justice Specialist Alice Yoro Session 18 Social issues, celebrations, Dating, marriage, adoption, Rites of passage Presentation Opportunities: Present on Moroccan Wedding or Circumcision party Session 19 Death and birth rituals; natural cycles: harvest, first rains; Religious practices, Zawiya, pilgrimage Presentation Opportunity: Fasting and Feasting in Morocco: Women s Participation in Ramadan Session 20 Art, Orality, Artisanal crafts & modern arts, Culinary traditions, Clothes Presentation Opportunity: Report of interactions with people at the Rabat Artisana Session 21 Music and Film Presentation Opportunities: Explain a Moroccan Song or Movie
Readings Background Readings. Selected excerpts and chapters from the following may be assigned as home readings and/or may be useful for research papers: Abouzeid, Leila. Year of the Elephant: A Moroccan Woman s Journey Towards Independence and Other Stories. University of Texas Press. 1989. Amine El Alamy, Youssouf. A Moroccan in New York. Eddif. Casablanca. 2000. Translated by John Liechty. Ben Jelloun, Tahar. Corruption. The New Press. New York. 1995. Baker, Alison. Voices of Resistance: Oral Histories of Moroccan Women. State University Press, New York. 1998. Becker, Cynthia J.. Amazigh Arts in Morocco: Women Shaping Berber Identity. University of Texas Press. ISBN-13: 978-0-292-71295-9. Benichou Gotterich & Daniel J. Schroeter. Eds. Jewish Culture and Society in North Africa. Indiana University Press. 2011. Boukous, Ahmed. Revitalizing the Amazigh Language: Stakes, Challenges and Strategies. IRCAM, Rabat. 2011. Buitelaar, Marjo. Fasting and Feasting in Morocco: Women s Participation in Ramadan. Berg Publishers. Oxford. 1993. Burke III, Edmund. The Ethnographic State: France and the Creation of Moroccan Islam. University of California Press. 2014. Carter, Sandra Gayle. What Moroccan Cinema? A Historical and Critical Study from 1956 to 2006. Lexington Books. 2009. Entelis, John P. Ed. Islam. Democracy and the State in North Africa. Indiana University Press. 1997. Entelis, John P. Culture & Counterculture in Moroccan Politics. University Press of America. 1996. Hargraves, Orin. Culture Shock. Morocco: A Guide to Customs and Etiquette. Kuperard. UK. 1999. Joseph, Suad. Ed. Intimate Selving in Arab Families: Gender, Self and Identity. Syracuse University Press. 1999.
Kapchan, Deborah. Gender on the Market: Moroccan Women and the Revoicing of Tradition. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1996. Kennedy, Hugh. Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-andalus. UK: Pearson. 1996 Laabi, Abdellatif. Rue Du Retour (in English) Readers International. ISBN: 0-930523-64-4 Mayer, Ann Elizabeth Islam and Human Rights: Tradition and Politics. ISBN-13: 978-0-8133-4335-8. Menocal, María Rosa. The Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews, and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. 2002. Mernissi, Fatima. The Veil and the Male Elite: A feminist Interpretation of Women s Rights in Islam. Perseus Books. 1998. Mernissi, Fatima. Dreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Childhood. Pereseus Books. 1995. Melbourne, Lucy L. An American in Morocco. Marsam. Casablanca. 2008. Ottaway, Marina and Riley, Meredith. Morocco: From Top-down Reform to Democratic Transition. Middle East Series. Carnegie Papers. N 71, September 2006. Stillman, Norman.The Language and Culture of the Jews of Sefrou, Morocco: An Ethnolinguistic Study. Louvain: University of Manchester. 1988. 12 30. Zaki, Abdellatif. Reflections on the Formations of Western Opinions, Stereotypes and Attitudes about Islam and Arabs. LangCom. Rabat. 2005.