The 1001 Nights in World Literature and Film

A study of the origins, history, tales, and influences of The 1001 Nights (Alf Layla wa Layla) in both their medieval Arab-Islamic milieu and modern adaptations in world literature and film. Major goals of the course include understanding the original frame story and embedded tales in the literary and political context of the Abbasid era, analyzing the key themes of justice, mercy, fate, and faith as well as gender roles in the text, tracing major European translations of the text and their relationship to Orientalism, and investigating how modern authors and filmmakers have adapted The 1001 Nights to comment on varying historical, political, and social issues. All readings will be in English translation.

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