Elaine van Dalen

I learned a great deal about cultures and schools of thought i was never exposed to. I understand these topics are complex so the material was frequently difficult to follow but I welcomed these new topics and enjoyed learning more

It's a good class and covers some great material with someone who's very passionate about it at the helm. However, it does need, and will almost certainly get, some refinement. It's hard to say what it will look like the next time it's taught. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2024 Course: MDESUN1003_001_2024_3-PremodernIslamicWorlds : MDESUN1003_001_2024_3 - Premodern Islamic Worlds Instructor: Sarah Bin Tyeer

150 page book a week, 6 page essay, oral final.

This course was my first introduction into the eastern world of literature and art, and I enjoyed it immensely. It was my favorite course this semester and recommend it to anyone, regardless of major.

Dr. Van Dalen created a very open discussion about important historical texts. She is also very knowledgeable about the Middle East. Because there was so much class interaction, I felt like I new all the students in the class. It is probably the best value course in the school: 4 credits, lit requirement, short books, once a week, one essay.

I learned about different stories (and religions) from the East and their perspectives. We also learned some tidbits about the historical context of the readings we did. One skill that this class helped me develop was time management; there are a lot of readings that need to be completed weekly.

I learned a lot about ancient Indian and Middle Eastern texts

learned about different themes in ancient books such as Ramayana, Kalila wa Dimna, Upanishad, etc.

I learned about the cultures and religions of South Asia as well as the origins of Islam, its spread, and its influence in the Middle East. We learned about Islam, Sufism, Hinduism, Buddhism. The course guided me through these concepts by examining ancient literature and discussing it and its themes in class.

I had never been exposed to these texts before, and I really enjoyed reading from new perspectives. I learned a lot about history, and I enjoyed our class discussions, as well.