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Jahiz Institute
for Islamicate Humanities

Courses in Middle Eastern languages and culture for all levels

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In PRAISE OF BOOKS

“What is a book if not a garden that you can tuck in your sleeve, an orchard you can hold on your lap, a speaker who makes the dead speak and yet interprets the living?”
– al-Jahiz

Spring 2025 Course Offerings

Early Islamic Texts: An Intermediate-Advanced Arabic Course

Have you studied Arabic for a while and now want to try reading the Qur’an in the original Arabic? This course offers a linguistic introduction to the Qur’an, hadith and other Classical Arabic texts from the Early Islamic Period.

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Travels of Ibn Battuta

Even in this age of digital nomads, Ibn Battuta’s 30-year odyssey is an awesome feat. Journey with us as we trace his itinerary through the Middle East, Africa, India and beyond.

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Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

As a celebration of the pleasures of life in the face of death, the Rubaiyat became one of the most famous Persian poems ever translated into English. In this course, we will take a closer look at the Rubaiyat both in English translation and the original Persian.

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Introduction to Classical Persian Prose

From historical writing and travel memoirs to mystical treatises and humorous anecdotes, in this course we will survey the rich tradition of Classical Persian prose.

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Arabic through Music: An Intermediate Arabic Course

Do you love listening to Arabic music but don’t understand a single word besides “habibi”? In this course, you’ll finally get a chance to see what these lyrics are saying and improve your Arabic at the same time.

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Arabic Short Stories

Join us for our new reading circle, where we’ll be reading a different short story in Arabic each week. The perfect way to take your Arabic to the next level.

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Human beings are all one body, created from the same essence.

Saadi Shirazi

a whole new world

Explore the Cultural Heritage of the Islamic World

Taking its inspiration from the wide-ranging curiosity of the Arab writer and polymath al-Jahiz, the Jahiz Institute for Islamicate Humanities offers instruction in the literature, history, thought and culture of the Middle East from pre-Islamic times down to the present.

With courses tailored to every background and language level, we seek to cultivate an appreciation for the rich heritage bequeathed to humanity by Arabic, Persian and Turkish writers and thinkers.

Whether you’re an advanced language student looking to dive into primary sources or just a curious beginner looking for an entry point to Middle Eastern culture, we have courses designed for you.

About Us
Relaxed & Friendly

Our Courses Are Tailored To Suit You

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Live Group Classes

Explore selected topics in Islamic civilization taught by our expert instructors.

Reading Circles

Read texts in their original languages with small groups in guided discussions.

Private Tutorials

One-on-one live, online meetings with a teacher for flexible and intensive language study.

Knowledge is an ocean without boundary or shore,
A sea where the seeker is like a diver for pearls:
Though he swim a thousand years, he never wearies of the quest.

Jalal al-Din Rumi

A new world awaits you

See our program catalog for current and upcoming courses.

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