Week 1
Historical Context — What Was the Arab World Like in 1800?
Readings & materials
- Introducing key vocabulary: nahda, revival, modernisation
- Map exploration: the Ottoman Empire and Arab regions in 1800
- Daily-life comparisons: transport, communication, education
Discussion
- What challenges did Arab societies face in the early nineteenth century?
- How did people communicate news and ideas without modern technology?
- Why might some have wanted to revive Arab society while others sought to sustain tradition?
ExerciseCreate a mindmap visually demonstrating the key features of the Arab world in 1800, forming connections between different ideas and developments.
Weeks 2–3
The Power of Language — Reviving Arabic Literature and Writing
Readings & materials
- Excerpts from al‑Bustani’s speeches on Arabic literature
- Classical Arabic poetry vs. new Nahda writing styles
- Headlines from early Arabic newspapers
Discussion
- Why did the Nahda’s thinkers care so much about the Arabic language?
- How can language be a source of cultural pride?
- Differences between classical and modern Arabic writing styles
ExerciseCompare an old Arabic poem with a modern Arabic song. What similarities and differences do you observe in tone, word choice, and sentence structure?
Weeks 4–5
Opening Minds — The Revolution in Education and Schools
Readings & materials
- Excerpts from al‑Tahtawi’s descriptions of schools in Paris
- Stories about the first modern schools in Egypt and Lebanon
- Letters from parents debating new vs. traditional schools
Discussion
- What was education like before the Nahda? Who could go to school?
- Why did some oppose new teaching methods and others support them?
- How did travel to Europe influence Arab ideas about education?
ExerciseDesign the ideal school curriculum for the nineteenth century. Which subjects would you include and why?
Weeks 6–7
Spreading Ideas — The Birth of Arabic Journalism and Publishing
Readings & materials
- Front pages from early Arabic newspapers like Hadiqat al‑Akhbar
- Advertisements for new books and educational materials
- Newspaper debates about social issues
Discussion
- How did newspapers help foster a sense of community among Arab readers?
- How did printing presses change who could access knowledge?
- What were the most important debates in Arab newspapers?
ExerciseCreate your own nineteenth-century Arabic newspaper page. Include news stories, advertisements, and opinion pieces that reflect Nahda-era concerns.
Weeks 8–9
Bridging Worlds — Translation and Cultural Exchange
Readings & materials
- European books translated into Arabic during the Nahda
- Stories of Arab students who travelled to study in Europe
- Debates about what ideas to adopt or reject
Discussion
- Why was translation such an important part of the Nahda?
- How did Arab intellectuals decide which foreign ideas were useful?
- Why might Arab societies have been sceptical of foreign cultures?
ExerciseChoose one book translated into Arabic during the Nahda. Research what it was about and present whether you think it was a good choice for translation.
Weeks 10–11
Women’s Voices in the Nahda
Readings & materials
- Excerpts from women’s writings about education and social change
- Stories about the first girls’ schools and women’s magazines
- Letters between women intellectuals
Discussion
- What challenges did women face in participating in the Nahda?
- What methods did women use to overcome these challenges?
- What arguments did women make about their roles in society?
ExerciseWrite a letter from the perspective of a young Arab woman in the 1890s to her friend, discussing her hopes for education and social change. Base it on real women from this period.
Weeks 12–13
Building Modern Societies — Political Ideas and Social Change
Readings & materials
- Political writings on governance and rights
- Founding of institutions: Syrian Protestant College, Egyptian Museum, National Library of Egypt
- Before-and-after photos of Cairo, Beirut, and Damascus
Discussion
- What did Nahda thinkers mean by “freedom” and “progress”?
- How did people organise themselves to create change?
- What role did religion play in modernisation debates?
ExerciseChoose the Arab city you think changed most during the Nahda. Create a timeline with before/after photos and written explanations to argue your case.
Weeks 14–15
The Nahda’s Legacy — How These Ideas Shaped the Modern Arab World
Readings & materials
- Modern Arab institutions traceable to the Nahda
- Biographies of modern Arab intellectuals
- Nineteenth-century vs. contemporary debates on language and identity
Discussion
- Which Nahda ideals are most enduring in Arab societies today?
- How do you interpret tradition vs. Arab modernity in the Arab world today?
- If there were another Nahda today, what would its principles be?
ExerciseWrite about which Nahda figure you found most inspiring and why. How might their ideas apply to challenges facing young people today?