This teacher workshop will provide the educator with a deeper understanding of the roots and influences of common stereotypes associated with Muslims and the Middle East.

Through theoretical and comparative analysis, the goal of this workshop will be to introduce a framework for understanding, interpreting, and assessing the value of both visual and textual information about the Middle East, Islam, and Muslims. Ideally, teachers will develop a more sophisticated understanding of how Americans think about, feel about, or perceive Islam/Muslims and the people and societies of the Middle East (both historical and contemporary), and how these thoughts, feelings, and perceptions might inform, shape, or influence their words and actions.

This workshop is cosponsored by the Center for International Studies and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies.

All sessions will be led by Alex Barna. Alex is the outreach coordinator for the University of Chicago Center for Middle Eastern Studies, a position he has held since 2008. He holds two B.A.s from Duke University (one in religion and one in Biology) and an M.A. from Harvard University in Middle Eastern studies.