From Syria to Germany, many Arabs across the globe are united by a core musical practice: every morning they greet the sun to the sounds of Lebanese pop diva Fairuz and greet the moon to the masterpieces of Egyptian superstar Umm Kulthum. Even though these divas reached their musical prime nearly fifty years ago, for many Arabs their music still remains a pinnacle of excellence in the music industry today. This course examines the impact of Arab women and their musical legacy in a culture often Orientalized as misogynistic, backwards, and oppressive. Drawing from ethnomusicology, performance studies, and gender studies, this course takes a radical approach to understanding the nuances of an Arab pop diva and deconstructs Orientalist understandings of Arab culture through musical study. We will not only listen closely to the brilliance of Umm Kulthum and Fairuz but also consider the cultural influence of their predecessors like Asmahan and the innovations of their successors like Nancy Ajram. Throughout the course, students will question why the societal impact of pop music divas is often devalued across cultures and explore these divas as drivers of liberation and political change. By the course¿s conclusion, students will hold a more nuanced understanding of not only Arab culture but also their own culture¿s pop music. Course assignments will include self-reflexive listening journals and a research project on the student¿s Arab pop diva of choice. No previous musical knowledge or Arabic speaking skills are required for this course.
