This interndiisciplinary conference (Feb. 14-16 at MSU), will explore not only the physicality of Arab cities or the sociality of Arab urban environments, but also the place of the urban in Arab history, philosophy, literature and the arts.

Thursday: Panel 1 (9-10:45 a.m.); Keynote 1 (11 a.m.); Panel II (1-2:45 p.m.); Panel III (3:00-4:45 p.m.); film screening at night

More info: http://gusp.msu.edu/userdocs/Cities_of_the_Arab_World/

 

 

Film screening is a part of the Cities of the Arab World conference being held at MSU Feb. 14-15. This conference will explore not only the physicality of Arab citeis or the sociality of Arab urban environments, but also the place of the urban in Arab history, philosophy, literature and the arts.

In downtown Cairo in 2009, Khalid, a 35-year-old filmmaker struggles to make a film that captures the soul of his city while facing loss in his own life. With the help of his friends who send him footage from their lives in Beirut, Baghdad and Berlin, he finds the strength to keep going through the difficulty and beautiy of living in Cairo.

Followed by a discussion led by Prof. Rola Nashef (Media and Information)

TAZARA Stories tells the story of a train through the memories of those who built it. Set in Tanzania, Zambia and China, the film interweaves oral and visual narratives of workers from three nations who found themselves laboring side by side in a massive infrastructure project at the height of the Cold War. Remembering and reliving their youth, the workers take us on a journey in time from the exhilaration of construction through disappointments and derailments to their own hopeful resilience in the face of enduring change.

 

A Special Presentation by Professor Ula Yvette Taylor, H. Michael and Jeanne Williams Chair of African American Studies & African Diaspora Studies, University of California-Berkeley.

 

Cosponsored by African American and African Studies, Muslim Studies Program, Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives, Department of Religious Studies, and Center for Gender in Global Context.

Sadam Issa, Professor of Arabic, MSU

Register in advance for this webinar:

 

Arabic Diwan is a gathering of Arabic students who are in the Arabic program, where they speak the language and learn about the culture in a relaxed environment with our Fulbright teaching assistant. Students from all Arabic language levels are encourages to attend. Also, we extend the invitation to the Arabic speaking students at the English Center. 

**THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED**

 

Enjoy a night of Japanese silent film with benshi artist Kataoka Ichiro.

A trained voice actor, Kataoka Ichiro preserves the tradition of 'benshi' film narration, which has been carried down since the silent film era in Japan. Kataoka will discuss the history and art of benshi and perform to excerpts from three classic Japanese silent films—TOKYO CHORUS (1931), HIS SNATCHED OFF LUMP (1929), THE DUEL AT TAKADANOBABA (1937)—as well as the Hollywood comedy IT'S A GIFT (1934). FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Co-sponsors: Asian Studies Center, Japan Council, Japanese Studies Program, Film Studies Program, Learning Community on Identity Formation in Global Contexts

Enjoy a night of Japanese silent film with benshi artist Kataoka Ichiro.

A trained voice actor, Kataoka Ichiro preserves the tradition of 'benshi' film narration, which has been carried down since the silent film era in Japan. Kataoka will discuss the history and art of benshi and perform to excerpts from three classic Japanese silent films—TOKYO CHORUS (1931), HIS SNATCHED OFF LUMP (1929), THE DUEL AT TAKADANOBABA (1937)—as well as the Hollywood comedy IT'S A GIFT (1934). FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Co-sponsors: Asian Studies Center, Japan Council, Japanese Studies Program, Film Studies Program, Learning Community on Identity Formation in Global Contexts