Survey of Central Asian Film and Literature

Instructor: Zohra Saed
Fridays, 2:00 PM – 4:40 PM
Modality: Hybrid Synchronous
Macaulay Classroom 2 (204)
Course Code: MHC 387

This course will introduce students to the complexity and richness of Central Asia and Central Asian Diaspora Film, Literature, and Visual Art. The course will begin with folklore and epic poetry to help students recognize the imagery, songs, and verse that are used in twentieth and twenty-first century literature and films. Islamic and Shamanic chants may appear in recent feminist films from Central Asia as a critique of patriarchy, colonialism, or nationalism. Finally, it will end with works from the diaspora, which will help students connect Central Asia to New York City. We will take advantage of the proximity to some of the largest Central Asian diaspora communities and explore neighborhoods and food. Central Asian Literature and Film is an interdisciplinary survey course that examines the cultural, linguistic, and religious history of Central Asian peoples, including the Azeri, Kazak, Kyrgyz, Tatar, Uyghur, Uzbek, Tajik, Turkman, and Afghan. We begin with selections of folklore, epics and early poetry, and then focus on modern literature and cinema.

In Person Meetings for Hybrid Courses:
8/30, 9/6, 9/20, 10/11, 10/25, 11/15, 12/6, 12/13

Zohra Saed
Distinguished Lecturer

Macaulay Honors College
Zohra.Saed@mhc.cuny.edu
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