Course Offerings
Below is a comprehensive list of all courses offered at Northwestern University in Qatar to current students.
Note: Courses may not be offered every semester or even every year.
Anthropology
ANTHRO 242-0: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
This course introduces students to the methods and perspectives of cultural anthropology. Emphasis will be on appreciating cultural difference and its implications. By learning to think analytically about other people’s lives and our own, students will begin to learn to think like anthropologists. We will move through a series of anthropological concepts and demonstrate the manner in which human universals such as notions of time, space, kinship and gender are reconfigured across different cultures.
Arabic
ARABIC 142-0 Arabic for Media (first semester)
This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to reflect on the linguistic decisions media professionals make every day and inform this decision-making process with a broad theoretical background. Students will utilize the newly acquired theoretical knowledge to develop their understanding of media discourse delivered in spoken and written Modern Standard Arabic. The course is also hands-on in that it will require students to create publishable written productions.
It is understood that students will enter the course with different levels of proficiency in written and spoken Modern Standard Arabic; however, an intermediate proficiency level is required. Interviews in Modern Standard Arabic will be required before permission to register is granted. Assessment of student achievement will be based in part on developed Arabic competencies during the semester. Class may be repeated for credit. This course is 0.5 NU-Q units.
ARABIC 142-0 Arabic for Media (second semester)
Offers qualified students an opportunity to develop an understanding the linguistic properties of social media content in Arabic. After an introduction to selected social media platforms and a refresher in empirical research methodology, students will pursue very focused areas of investigation and presenting their findings in a lecture format and in the form of a final paper. It is understood that students will enter the course with different levels of proficiency in written and spoken Modern Standard Arabic; however, an intermediate proficiency level is required. Interviews in Modern Standard Arabic will be required before permission to register is granted. Assessment of student achievement will be based in part on developed Arabic competencies during the semester. Class may be repeated for credit. This course is 0.5 NU-Q units.
Economics
ECONOMICS 242 Principles of Economics
Examines central economic ideas, such as supply and demand, market structures, consumers, public policy and monopoly. Islamic finance is also included.
English
ENGLISH 103-1: First-Year Writing, Semester-1
All first-year students will complete this course in the fall semester of the first year.
ENGLISH 103-2: First-Year Writing, Semester-2
All first-year students will complete this course in the spring semester of the first year.
ENGLISH 212 Introduction to Drama
Addresses two basic questions: How does the choice of drama/theatre affect the ways in which a story is told? What are the fundamentals of Western drama? Reading a range of canonical texts, students will also study theories of drama as they are articulated in such genres as tragedy, comedy, realism, etc.
ENGLISH 242 Topics may vary, past offerings have included:
- Introduction to Short Fiction
- Twentieth-Century American Literature
- Modern Middle East Literature
- Travel Literature
- Gender in Arab Popular Fiction
ENGLISH 369 Studies in African Literature: Twentieth Century Literature in English
This course centers on a range of twentieth century literary expression. Topics for discussion include: orature and its implications for poetry, drama and fiction; independence and postcolonialism; and fictions of memory. Substantive attention will be devoted to writing by women and/or about Muslim cultures.
ENGLISH 379, English Special Topics may vary, past offerings have included:
- Analysis of Autobiography
- (Tres) Passing and the Performance of Identity Women Writers
- Literatures of Migration
General Communication
GEN CMN 201-0 Research Methods
Foundations of knowledge in many areas of the field, including the nature of interpersonal interaction and the impact of mass media; how communication researchers do their work; and how to judge the quality of research products. Required for MIT majors.
GEN CMN 202 Statistics
Introduction to statistics and probability models for journalism students. Students will discuss ways to detect fraud in government data, methods for dissecting academic research promoted in press releases, and strategies for reporting statistical findings to a mass audience, among other skills. Covers topics common in general statistics courses, including the Central Limit Theorem, descriptive and inferential test statistics, regression to the mean, and analysis of variance. Specific attention is given, however, to statistical challenges journalists encounter in news reporting.
History
HISTORY 242 Topics may vary, past offerings have included:
- History of the Modern Middle East
- Modern European History
- Political History of the Modern Middle East
- 20th Century US History
- Medieval Muslim Empires
- History of Modern Africa
HISTORY 387 Special Topics in History may vary, past offerings have included:
- Islam and the Shaping of African History
- British India
- American Popular History
- History and Memory
- Colonialism and Decolonization in the Muslim World: Pre-requisites: Sophomore standing and above; completion of a 200-level course on the Middle East or Muslim world; department permission only. Please see your adviser to ensure that you have met the prerequisites and to receive a permission number.
Integrated Marketing and Communication
IMC 330-0 Principles of Public Relations
Introductory course in which students design, implement and evaluate a public-relations plan using strategic and integrated communication methods. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
IMC 331-0 Public Relations
Communication Strategies and Writing Students apply strategic communication skills in writing various public-relations pieces for print, electronic and audiovisual media. Prerequisites: JOUR 201 and IMC 330
IMC 332-0 Case Studies in Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communication
In this final course leading to the Public Relations Certificate, students analyze contemporary issues and landmark case studies in public relations and integrate theory, research, planning, communication and evaluation skills to plan and execute public-relations campaigns for specific organizations. Prerequisite: IMC 330 and 331
Interdisciplinary
INTERDIS 301-0 Doha Seminar: Uneasy Cosmopolitans
This interdisciplinary, honors seminar brings together professors and students from all the EC colleges to discuss issues that may include Qatari and Gulf history, arts and culture, natural and human resources, education, regional and international foreign policy, geosciences, communication and media, and other topics in which the EC campus has special expertise. The thematic thread holding these issues together is a characterization of Gulf residents as “uneasy cosmopolitans”. That is, Qatar and other Gulf nations have a long history of interaction with peoples of different technological capacities, religions and cultures. The challenges—as well as the opportunities—have become more urgent in the last three decades. Questions of home and identity, citizenry, rights and responsibilities, environmental impact of population and consumer growth, and cultural values have sparked a range of complex responses among host societies and expatriates recruited from the global south and north.
Journalism
JOUR 201-0 Reporting, Writing and Multimedia Storytelling
Introduction to the fundamentals of journalism necessary for any platform or storytelling format. Includes news- and information-gathering; story construction; using basic numbers and data to tell a story and assess information; editing and presentation; ethical issues while covering stories; and visual literacy. The course emphasizes basic reporting and writing skills, plus still photography, photo editing, audio recording, audio editing and audio slideshows.
JOUR 202-0 Introduction to 21st-Century Media
An exploration of the forces and issues that influence and shape journalism and the media, using history to illuminate current trends. Topics include: What is journalism? What outside forces influence change in media and journalism? The relationship between journalism and community; media and audience trends; the business and economics of media; the purpose and role of journalism in a democratic society; and standards and ethics for journalists in any society.
JOUR 203-0 Visual Journalism
Students shoot and edit video and still photography and record and edit audio for the purpose of telling stories. Taken before 301. Prerequisite: JOUR 201
JOUR 250-0 Media Literacy
Media actors, including journalists and editors, often do things in ways that do not provide you with the best information, or in the most appropriate way. You, not your friends, professors, relatives or even journalists, must sift through the flashy, sexy and often distracting messages you receive every day to uncover information to help you best order your life. Communicators want you to read their publications, watch movies, sign petitions, follow them on Twitter, support a political campaign, buy things or simply wear your seatbelt. Sometimes they are honestly trying to help you; other times, they certainly are not. This class will teach you to think more about who is providing you with news and information, what their interests are and what your interests are, and will promote strategies for finding news that was gathered and packaged for you with sincere intentions.
JOUR 320-0 Interactive News
The craft of digital storytelling, with emphasis on creating compelling packages for the web and other digital platforms (such as PDAs) using a variety of narrative formats, interactive tools (such as Flash) and other digital content, including blogs, RSS feeds and citizen journalism. Prerequisites: 301
JOUR 321-0 Magazine and Feature Writing
The craft of magazine and feature writing, with emphasis on character, scene and theme development, story architecture, voice, alternative story forms, in-depth reporting, public service journalism, and marketing ideas for articles. Prerequisites: 301; 310, 311, or 312.
JOUR 323-0 Broadcast Production and Presentation
The art and craft of storytelling for television, including practice in field reporting and producing packages ranging from one- to three-minute television news pieces. Prerequisite: JOUR 201
JOUR 342-0 Advanced Online Storytelling
Students work in groups on a single reporting project that incorporates video, audio, interactivity and photography. Prerequisite: JOUR 301.
JOUR 345-0 Journalism Residency in Newspaper/Online (2 units)
Hones reporting and news writing skills through practical assignments, including multimedia opportunities whenever possible, under deadline pressure and close editorial supervision. Prerequisites: JOUR 342
JOUR 355-0 Journalism Residency in Magazine (2 units)
Exploration of aspects of magazine writing and reporting. Practical assignments, including print and web content whenever possible, in a magazine office with deadline pressure and close professional supervision. Prerequisites: JOUR 321 and JOUR 342
JOUR 365-0 Journalism Residency in Broadcast (2 units)
Gathering television news in the field; writing scripts, readers, voiceovers, packages and on-camera news for reporters and anchors. Practical assignments in a broadcast newsroom under close professional supervision. Prerequisites: JOUR 323 and either JOUR 342 or JOUR 368
JOUR 368-0 Documentary
Formats used in audio and video documentary production, with emphasis on transforming a major research effort into a radio or broadcast program or a multipart series. Prerequisites: JOUR 301 and JOUR 323
JOUR 370-0 Media Law and Ethics
The legal and ethical framework defining media freedoms and constraints in the United States, including copyright and trademark issues. Historical context and focus on the evolution of constitutional, statutory, judicial and ethical standards.
JOUR 375-0 Literary Journalism
A survey of the work of several print and broadcast journalists to explore the intersection of journalism and literature; analysis of the relationships between form and content within the historical contexts in which pieces were produced. Prerequisite: JOUR 301
JOUR 388-0 Internship (0 units)
Student-initiated internships in journalism. Prerequisites: sophomore standing and consent of the senior associate dean.
JOUR 390-0 Special Topics
Specialized courses offered from time to time by faculty. They may explore journalism as it relates to business, education, the environment, energy, religion, and health and science. Other 390 courses include field reporting trips led by faculty, either in the summer or during the winter break. Students may take more than one special topics course.
JOUR 395-0 Journalism Residency in Public Relations (2 units)
Students will work in a corporate communications department or for a public relations agency full time for 10 weeks.
JOUR 399-0 Independent Study
Academic work sponsored and supervised by a faculty member working one-on-one with a student. Prerequisite: consent of the director of journalism.
Media Industries and Technology
MIT 190-0 Media Construction
Introduction to the core components of media: idea, image, sound, and sequence, as well as instruction in the technical fundamentals involved in shooting and editing video. Students work with SLR and digital video cameras, Photoshop, and Final Cut Pro editing software. This course is a prerequisite for all upper-level production courses. Required for majors; typically taken the freshman year.
MIT 205-0 Theories of Persuasion
Survey of major theories that explain how to change another person’s attitudes and behaviors. Applications to persuasion within a variety of contexts, including relationships, organizations, legal campaigns, and mass culture.
MIT 206-0 Argumentation
This course provides a general introduction to the fundamental principles and practices of critical reasoning and public argument. Students learn the basic elements of arguing about definitions, facts, values, and policies. Students are also introduced to rules of evidence and reasoning and the basic features of debate over issues in the academic, commercial, social, cultural, and political realms.
MIT 212-0 Exploring Global Media
Introduction to core concepts in global media. One continuing theme is the interplay between the global and the local. Includes exploration of global media development in historical, technological, cultural, and social terms.
MIT 214-0 Communication, Technology and Society
Examination of how communication technology shapes society, and how people shape technologies and their effects. Explores social, economic and political influences on technology design and the implications of communication technologies for relationships, communities, organizations, design, and public policy.
MIT 220-0 Analyzing Media Texts
Introduction to the study of the moving image. Basic elements of style across media, including film, television, and interactive media. Focus on close analysis of texts to find significance. Prerequisite for upper-level MIT courses. Required for majors; typically taken the freshman year.
MIT 230-0 Understanding Media Contexts
Media industries as social and cultural forces; economic and political dimensions of the global media.
MIT 260-0 Foundations of Screenwriting
Introduction to writing for the screen (film, television, and/or computer), including structure, character, dialogue, format, voice, scope, pace, and context. Lecture/workshop. Prerequisite for upper-level MIT writing courses.
MIT 270-0 Theories of Mediated Communication
Introductory survey of current issues in research on the mass media, the Internet, and computer-mediated communication.
MIT 298-0 Undergraduate Seminar Special Topics
May be taken more than once for credit, depending on changes in topic.
MIT 312-0 History of Film
International survey of motion pictures as a distinctive medium of expression from its prehistory to the present.
MIT 313-0 Documentary Film: History and Criticism
Survey of the schools, styles, and purposes of documentary film as a unique form of artistic expression and sociopolitical persuasion.
MIT 321-0 Radio/Television/Film Authorship
Idea of authorship in the media and an examination of different uses of author theory related to the work of particular artists.
MIT 322-0 Radio/Television/Film Genre
Exploration of the concept of genre in the media through focus on particular case studies and examples, with reference to popular American and global forms.
MIT 325-0 Film, Media, and Gender
Explores issues of gender in film and media. Introduces students to major debates and theories regarding gender and sexuality in the media.
MIT 349-0 Internship in Radio/Television/Film (1–4 units)
Students work in production departments of radio and television stations and film studios, or in other areas of the media industry. Guided research and reading.
MIT 351-0 National Cinema
Historical aspects of cinema in a specific nation, region, or geopolitical sphere, or as a social/cultural/intellectual movement within the general evolution of cinema.
MIT 355-0 Audience Analysis
Introduction to methods of analyzing electronic media audiences; emphasis on quantitative research techniques. Prerequisites: GEN CMN 201 or equivalent.
MIT 360-0 Topics in Screenwriting
Various approaches to screenwriting, emphasizing different modes and genres, such as the short film, the feature film, screenplays based on preexisting material, the teen film, or interactive computer scenarios. May be taken twice for credit, depending on changes in topic. Prerequisite: MIT 260.
MIT 372-0 Editing the technique and art of editing for film
Topics include editing for continuity, controlling pace and rhythm, and editing nonlinear narratives. Prerequisites: MIT 190, 380, and sophomore standing.
MIT 375-0 Designing for the Internet
Design concepts as they relate to the web in an intensive studio/workshop environment. Prerequisites: MIT 190 and sophomore standing.
MIT 379-0 Topics in Film/Video/Audio
Production In-depth study and practice of one area of film, video, or television production. May be taken more than once for credit, depending on changes in topic. Prerequisite: MIT 190 and 380.
MIT 380-0 Lighting and Cinematography
Techniques, aesthetics, and technologies of lighting and the camera, including film and video. Prerequisites: MIT 190 and sophomore standing.
MIT 382-0 Sound Production Techniques and technologies of audio production, emphasizing location recording
Survey of techniques used for film, video, experimental audio, and radio production. Postproduction includes work with a digital audio workstation. Lecture/laboratory.
MIT 388-0 Internet and Society
The social, cultural, political, and economic implications of information technologies.
MIT 389-0 Global Culture and Communication
Examination of current topics and events to familiarize students with the cultural dimensions of globalization and the critical importance of culture and communication in understanding the globalized world.
MIT 390-0 Directing
Single-camera dramatic directing, including visualization and breakdown of scripts, camera blocking, and working with actors. Prerequisites: MIT 190 and sophomore standing.
MIT 392-0 Documentary Production
Students examine documentary practices and produce their own shorts. Prerequisites: MIT 190 and sophomore standing.
MIT 393-0 2-D Computer Animation
Students explore techniques in the 2-D sphere and incorporation of visual design principles. Prerequisites: MIT 190 and sophomore standing.
MIT 395-0 3-D Computer Animation
The fundamental concepts and techniques of 3-D computer modeling and animation. Use of concepts acquired in camera-based production techniques to create a rendered animation. Prerequisites: MIT 190 and sophomore standing.
MIT 398-0 Undergraduate Seminar
Student- or faculty-initiated seminars to consider special topics. May be taken more than once for credit, depending on changes in topic.
MIT 399-0 Independent Study
Prerequisite: consent of program director after submission of petition.
Political Science
POLITICAL SCIENCE 242 Topics in Political Science may vary, past offerings have included:
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- American Government and Politics
- Gulf Society and Politics
- Introduction to International Relations
- Introduction to Middle East Politics
POLITICAL SCIENCE 387 Special Topics in Political Science may vary, past offerings have included:
- Public Opinion
- The Politics of the Arab Spring
- Democracy and Democratization
- Liberalism, Marxism, Arab Nationalism and Islamism
- Contemporary Arab Thought
- Nation Building and Nationalism
- Arab Women and Civil Society
- Media and Politics in the Arab World
Religion
RELIGION 242 may vary, past offerings have included:
- Overview of Islamic Intellectual History
- Sufism
RELIGION 387 Special Topics may vary, past offerings have included:
- Islam in America
- Modern Reform Movements in the Muslim World
Theatre
THEATRE 119-0 Production Laboratory (0 units)
Registration for students fulfilling production crew requirements.
THEATRE 140-1, 2 Theatre in Context
1. Combination of lecture, discussion, assignments, play viewing, and text analysis.
2. Seminar in three sections emphasizing theatre history, literature and criticism, research, and writing skills. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
THEATRE 140-3 Production in Context
A combination of lecture, discussion, and production lab participation implementing the directing and design process of a theatrical production. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
THEATRE 143-0 Acting: Basic Techniques
Introduction to the study of acting; sensory response, imagination, and characterization work leading to prepared scenes from selected plays.
THEATRE 243 Acting I: Principles of Characterization
Focus on basic concepts of acting, dramatic imagination, and dramatic characterization. Prerequisites: 140-1, 2 (or equivalent) and consent of instructor.
THEATRE 341 Acting II
Analysis and Performance Theory, principles, and techniques of interpretation of drama from the point of view of
the actor. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
THEATRE 399-0 Independent Study
Prerequisite: consent of program director after submission of petition.