Week 1 Art of Arab-American Literature

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I originally chose this course just because it seemed to fit my major criteria. However upon further  thinking about the reasons for taking this course. I think it is important to acknowledge the many cultures that one lives around. I have always heard a lot about Buddhist and Chinese literature but aside from religious texts I never had thought of the possibility of the pure amount of ideas there were to be shared. I hope to learn more of the intricacies that are brought in a written form to preserve their culture. 

With that being said I have a limited knowledge of the writings of arab authors. In the past I read some epics such as Gilgamesh and some African folklore. Though I never really had thought of Arab American literature. I have listened to many Arabic songs before so I feel like I am starting to see how Arabs interpret emotions in their writings. I have come to appreciate how different cultures also have different formulas for telling stories and writing songs. 

I have to say that Arabs are often the least mentioned group in the United States of America. I had not known of the Arabs that came to the United States prior to the wars in Iraq and Syria. I recently have learned of the christians that came from Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. I feel like this really bridged the gaps between religion and forced the creation of a singular identity that people who come from the Region known as the Middle East are not left feeling like strangers when they emigrate to a new country. I also really like the story-telling fashion that Arab writers use, so I am excited to see what stories I will read in the future. I think this course is a great learning opportunity. (301)

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