In this interactive course, musicians and music enthusiasts will learn the language and basics of maqam. Maqam is the system of melodic modes used in Arabic music that defines the different pitches and patterns in classic pieces. This beginner-friendly course will introduce the fundamentals of maqam theory, including key concepts such as anjas (building blocks of maqamat) and common iqa'at (rhythms).

Students will dive into four maqamat and learn a classic piece from a standard repertoire. Musicians can stay longer and jam together in a low-stakes environment using what they learned from class. No prior knowledge of Arabic music is required. This course is ideal for musicians curious about the expressive depth of maqam. The ability to either read sheet music or learn by ear is strongly encouraged. Please bring your preferred instrument for the jam session at the end.

This course will cover the fundamentals of Dabke, a Palestinian folkloric dance that has shaped our culture for generations. Students will learn how to dance and master classic dabke moves such as Zamer, Dal'ouna, Tayara, and Talweeh. Through learning these dance moves, students will discover how each move relates to our traditions, such as our weddings, gatherings, and celebrations. Come to class preferably wearing comfortable clothes that you can dance in. By the end of this course, you'll be ready to lead your next dabke line!

This course explores the culture of desserts across the history and regions of the Levant. Students will learn to make Ma3moul, a dessert celebrated across religions in the region and connected to major holidays like Easter and Eid. We will learn the history of the dessert as we delve into the ingredients and its construction. Students will leave the class with Ma3moul they shape and mold themselves!

This class will begin by discussing the early history of agriculture with emphasis on Palestine being in the heart of the fertile crescent. We will walk through the diverse environment of Falasteen and the varieties of food grown throughout the land and how this has shaped all forms of culture we see today; from celebratory foods to homeopathic medicine. We will explore these agricultural practices and learn about the ancestral connection to land rooted in freedom and life.

Through this framework, we will explore how these customs have been co-opted, denied, and banned, showing how land stewardship is a way of life and form of freedom for the indigenous. We will look at examples such as the irrigation trails in Lifta and economic sovereignty in Yaffa. At the end of this course, each student can plant a poppy flower and have a deep understanding of the resilience of our native plants and people.

This course will reveal the overlooked, yet remarkable role that Arab women have played within some of the most pivotal moments of history within the last century. In addition, students will also be introduced to Arab feminist schools of thought from feminist thinkers like Nawal El Saadawi. This course will equip students with historical context, along with the ability to apply this knowledge to the contemporary struggle for liberation.

Throughout the past century, Arabic music has evolved and transformed to include trap, electro, jazz, and more! This course will trace how the shift took place from traditional to modern forms, and reveal concepts and patterns prevalent within these styles of music. As we analyze contemporary Arabic music over the past decades, students will gain a deeper understanding of its development and cultural significance throughout the region. We will examine how the genres reflect the real world and changing conditions of our people, taking music beyond the melody and rhythm. Make sure your playlists are ready to be added to!

The course will define the regional dimension of the Arab world and how it connects to major political events of the past two years. We'll analyze how various countries are positioning themselves (internally and externally) on the question of Palestine, along with their broader regional influence. The Arab Dimension class offers a fundamental understanding of the region, its key actors, and a lasting framework for making sense of current news from the Arab world.

Unlike many literary forms that slowly developed and refined over time, the qasida appears in Arabic tradition already elevated: ancient, intricate, and almost musical. It was a spoken art of memory, longing, praise, grief, pride, wisdom, and performance, predating the emergence of Islam.

In this session, we will explore the qasida across the ages and the many places it has lived, from the camps of the bādiya to royal courts, and from public gatherings to revolutionary streets. We will trace how its sounds, structures, and themes came to shape Arabic poetry and inspire new forms over time. Through short examples in Arabic and English, we will listen for rhythm, identify rhyme, explore baḥr and poetic structure, and write our own verses as we discover how a poem becomes music, memory, and art.

In this course, Watermelon Pictures will speak to the growing demand for more media and cultural production centered on Palestine. Together, we will explore how cinema, storytelling, and multimedia have shaped national and regional identities, and how art has long been used to preserve memory, challenge dominant narratives, and reflect the political realities of its time. We will also discuss the ways cultural production has been politicized throughout history, especially when it comes to movements for liberation and self-determination. During class, we'll watch a short film together and reflect on how the recent surge of Palestinian narratives can help expand public understanding, strengthen our connection to our history, and advance the future of our movement.

This course explores the development of "Little Palestine" and the factors that have made Chicagoland home to one of the largest Palestinian diasporas in the United States. It will also examine the broader historical experiences of Palestinian communities in Chicago.

Join us and the author of Palestinian Chicago: Identity in Exile as we critically explore the geographic and historical patterns of Palestinians in Chicago. Together, we will trace major waves of migration to the city from the 1940s to the present.

Learn how to practice one of the most popular forms of Palestinian embroidery, which holds significant historical and political roots in Palestine. Throughout the ages, Tatreez has been passed down from generation to generation, becoming a symbol of resilience, beauty and culture. We will learn about the different motifs in textile patterns, the various styles that reflect regional affiliations and social standings, as well as the evolution of designs from interactions between villages and colonial influence.

Every people has stories that refuse to be forgotten. In Arab culture, the Hakawati has long carried these stories: passing down history, wisdom, humor, and memory from one generation to the next. In this course, students will explore storytelling as a contemporary, cultural, rooting practice, a form of resistance, and preservation. Together, we will reclaim the role of the Hakawati for today and learn how our stories continue to carry our heritage, our struggles, and our future.