COURSES

Hunger in Eden: Mohamed Choukri’s Narratives

Choukri is a seminal figure in 20th century Moroccan fiction, His autobiographical work, al-Khubz al-Ḥāfī (in English translation, For Bread Alone) was called by Tennessee Williams “a true document of human desperation, shattering in its impact.” Long censured by the Moroccan government for its taboo depictions of human suffering, poverty, prostitution, and homosexuality, among other things, Choukri’s text nevertheless managed to circulate throughout the Arabic-speaking world, inspiring artists and literary figures.  In Morocco itself, he was a crucial figure, a writer who befriended and collaborated with literary giants such as Paul Bowles, Jean Genet, and Tennessee Williams. Given the importance of Choukri’s work in modern Arabic literature as well as Euro-American literature, we will closely examine Choukri’s oeuvre.

Choukri’s influence has been instrumental in forming a generation of writers and enthusiastic readers, who fervently cherish his narratives. In this course, students dive deeply into Choukri’s narratives, analyzing them with an eye toward their cultural and political importance. The class looks to Choukri’s amazing life story to reveal the roots of his passion for writing and explores the culture of the time and places about which he writes. Violence, abject poverty, marginalization, social injustice–among other things, occupy a large space in his literary creativity. His writings draw heavily on his lived experience, documenting what he lived through and witnessed in the city of Tangier, leaving no space for embellishment or flowery language. He describes things are they are, taking his readers deep into the crevices in the lives of his marginalized Moroccan fellow-citizens. He sheds light on their collective suffering and daily traumas as they fight poverty, marginalization, and institutional oppression.  Thus, through his narratives, students better understand the political environment within which they were composed and the importance of Choukri’s work to today’s reader regarding current debates over Arab identity, poverty, authoritarianism, colonial legacies, among other things. In short, this class surveys the entirety of his work, contextualizing it within the sphere of Arabic literary tradition.

Tracing The Image of the Arab 'Other'

This course explores the representation of Arab identity in modern Arabic literature, focusing on both how Arabs are depicted in Western narratives and how these depictions are dealt with in Arabic literature. We will examine key works in the tradition of modern Arabic fiction. Simultaneously, we will analyze how Arabic writers respond to, subvert, or reconstruct these representations, often within the context of postcolonial discourse. Through a comparative lens, this course will engage with major trends in both Arabic and Western literature, studying the shifting dynamics of identity, power, and cultural exchange. By tracing these complex portrayals and counter-narratives, we aim to uncover the historical and political forces shaping perceptions of the Arab ‘Other.’

The Modern Arabic Short Story

This course is an introduction to the short story in modern Arabic literature, with special attention to the second half of the twentieth century, beginning with Yusuf Idris and Zakariya Tamir, the masters of the Arabic short story who have been instrumental in forming a generation of writers and enthusiastic readers, until the present. In this course, we examine the works of scholars who have been invested in theorizing this particular genre, focusing on the emergence of the modern Arabic short story and its intricate relationship with its western counterparts. After examining the theoretical underpinnings of the short story, students dive deeply into these short narratives, analyzing them with an eye toward their cultural and political importance and examining how both seasoned and emerging writers have responded to major sociocultural and political events that have shaped the region. Major writers include Yusuf Idris, Zakariya Tamir, Naguib Mahfouz, Mohamed Choukri, Mohamed Zafzaf, Mamduh Rizk, Jamal Fayez, Sinan Antoon, Sonallah Ibrahim, Elias Khoury, etc. Major themes include colonialism, globalization, identity, poverty, authoritarianism, exile, war, sectarian violence, secularism, and religion, among others.  In short, the short story in one of the most popular genres in the Arabic literature; this class surveys the modern Arabic short stories in all its varieties (geographical, structural, topical, stylistic, etc.). 

Creative Writing

This course offers an in-depth exploration of modern Arabic literature through a variety of genres, including short stories, novel excerpts, poetry, and short plays. Students will critically read and analyze texts, examining the literary techniques, themes, and cultural contexts that shape each genre. Emphasis is placed on understanding the creative and aesthetic qualities of Arabic literary works. In addition to critical analysis, students will engage in creative writing exercises, allowing them to experiment with a genre of their choice. Students will also have the opportunity to workshop their creative writing, receiving constructive feedback from both the instructor and their peers.

The Trilogy of Mosteghanemi

Ahlam Mosteghanemi, born in Tunisia and raised in Algeria, is one of the most important contemporary Arab writers. She gained widespread popularity after the publication of her novel Dākhirat al-Jasad (Memory in the Flesh), which earned her the Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature. In this class, we will critically engage with Mosteghanemi’s literary works, exploring their narrative depth and broader cultural and political implications. Her writings often reflect on the complexities of gender roles, the intricacies of Arab societies and cultures, and the intersection of personal and collective histories.

Politics and Aesthetics in Modern Arabic Literature

This seminar explores the intersection of politics and aesthetics in modern Arabic literature, providing students with an introduction to key theoretical frameworks essential for understanding the complex relationship between literature and socio-political contexts in the Arab world. Through close readings of selected texts, students will engage with a range of themes, including nationalism, colonialism, identity, resistance, and more. Literary readings will include works by Mohamed Choukri, Mohamed Zafzaf, Mohamed Berrada, Elias Khoury, Ibrahim Jabra Ibrahim, Tayeb Salih, Hanan al-Shaykh, Hoda Barakt, Ibrahim Nasrallah, and Naguib Mahfouz.

Literature and Justice: Arab Writers on Trial

This seminar focuses on works by authors who have faced imprisonment as a direct result of their writing. These writers have been targets of Arab regimes whose modus operandi has been to silence anti-regime voices with its reprehensible and autocratic practices. A wave of writers projecting their voices has come with a cost—as is, often the case for anyone speaking out against oppressive regimes. Through a selection of writings by authors such as Faraj Bayrakdar, Mahmoud Darwish, Abdul Rahman Munif, Ahmed Naji, Ibrahim Nasrallah, Fadhil al-Azzawi, Edwar al-Kharrat, Youssef Idriss, Gamal al-Ghitani, Sonallah Ibrahim, and Abd al-Hakim Qasim, we will critically explore the political and social contexts in which these authors have written, the reasons for their criminalization, and the broader context of political repression and injustice in the Arab world.

Selected Student Evaluations

Professor Elbousty is probably the most passionate professor I have come across at Yale so far. During this class, the professor allowed the students to take control of the discussions and go wherever we wanted with them, with his guidance along the way. He allowed us to speak openly and freely about any of the topics we wanted and he always had something informative for us to say. It is clear that Professor Elbousty is very knowledgable in his field, and rather than just lecture us through what he knows, he provided for us a framework to go out and explore the field, allowing us to become familiar with the topics. I think this is much more powerful than a typical class where the professor lectures about his work because it allows us to understand how one should think and act. Without a doubt, I have learned new skills that I will use for the rest of my life when it comes to reading and discussing Arabic texts, as he made something as daunting as reading a news article in Arabic actually seem possible for me. For that, I thank Dr. Elbousty.

Professor Elbousty is really good at creating a student-led classroom, in that he obviously prepares the lesson and is ready to discuss, but lets us take charge, if you will. He was always committed to making sure every student had a chance to speak, which I really appreciate. Moreover, when we discuss issues of the Middle East, he’s very clear to always point out various Western/Colonial biases that exist and how we might need to rethink those perceptions of the Arab world (A flawed term, but you understand what I mean). Moreover, he was really good at giving students the space/time to present on topics that mattered individually to them and that related to the course.

I learned how to analyze the Arabic literature texts of the great Moroccan novelist Mohamed Choukri, as taught by the extraordinarily talented and knowledgeable Professor Jonas Elbousty. I became much more skilled in analyzing Arabic texts and presenting and writing in Arabic. I developed a much deeper appreciation for Arabic literature, particularly Moroccan short stories and novels. I also learned the extent of work that goes into devoting one’s professional career into studying a single author. We had multiple guest speakers, including Mohamed Choukri’s nephew, and I left the class with a renewed love for Arabic literature. I also learned so much from fellow students in the class, all of whom were so intelligent and knowledgeable. This was an incredible class.

I have developed extensive knowledge about Moroccan literature in general, and Mohamed Chokri’s writings in specific. The scope of this course offers great insights into modern Arabic literature. We have always gone through a process of literary analysis and critique that widened my own literary horizons. After taking this course, I feel that I have gained much knowledge about a certain kind of literature I did not know much about, I feel that I have developed my own writing style through fusing with Chokri’s own ever-developing style. I learned about literary development through following Chokri’s trilogy and reading his biography that was created over a span of around 40 literary years. I have also developed some intuition about translation and how to think like a translator owing to our exposure to different versions of Chokri’s work. Most significantly, I have also learned much about comparative literature, owing to professor Elbousty being one of the elite researchers in this field.

I will go as far as saying that this was the single most engaging course I’ve taken at Yale. Professor Elbousty’s contagious passion for this author paired with his desire to share these narratives make for a once in a lifetime experience. The class was structured in a way in which work never felt tedious regardless of how much we read we always looked forward to gathering and discussing. Biweekly Canvas discussions allowed us to formulate our thoughts beforehand, coming into all sessions with expectations of what to debate productively. We were all given an opportunity to conduct one of the sessions, allowing every student to portray their passion for Choukri’s writings through leading the consistently enjoyable classes. Midterm presentations that directly tackled our respective topics for the final paper were helpful in providing us with feedback from our peers as well as Professor Elbousty weeks in advance. The freedom we were given with the final paper made it a greatly interesting task as each of us wrote about a facet that touched them personally.

Absolutely amazing. His seminar-styled discussion is the best I’ve ever been in. It really creates valuable conversation. The way he orchestrates class is much like that of a virtuoso conductor, letting us do our thing, but interjecting every once in a while, to bring us back on track. He will bring out the best in you intellectually, and he is always willing to help you with any obstacle you face. Moreover, he’s just incredible kind and supportive, that there’s no way you’ll ever have a barrier between you and him like that with other professors at Yale. He is very down to earth in a tasteful, intelligent way. If you can’t take this class with him, literally take any other Arabic class with him. His intelligence and depth often overshadows the material in a brilliant way. He is the kind of professor that will change lives, easily. Don’t make the mistake of passing through Yale without stopping at his mentorship.

Professor Jonas Elbousty is the highlight of my semester. He is a caring professor who is extremely kind and gracious towards his students. He has always helped us develop and grow through his incredible teaching techniques. He is a dedicated researcher and an established author, so I am sure there are A LOT one can learn from him. He genuinely cares about his students and their goals, and he always seeks to facilitate their learning and be a solid support system in case they ever need him. The greatest strength of this course is its instructor, Professor Elbousty. He is an imaginative teacher, an avid researcher, and the most humble/kind/gracious person I have met on Yale’s campus. He has an amazing way of managing this class, in which he relieves any stress and makes everyone comfortable to discuss their thoughts no matter what their literary background is. He sees the best in his students and encourages them to grow and defy their comfort zones. He has the perfect balance between flexibility and structure, which makes his course extremely unique and distinct from any other courses I have taken or will take at Yale.

I will say it here again. Yale is very lucky to have professor Elbousty as a faculty member and researcher of this esteemed institution. He is a world-class researcher, an amazing teacher, a genuine caring instructor, and a wonderful human being. His class was always enjoyable and made me enjoy putting in the effort to learn much more about such an insightful topic that inspires me a lot about the nature of identity and how it is captured in literature and media. Prof. Elbousty is the perfect person to take on such a class. Without him, I don’t think I will have learnt that much. I am really happy and honestly very lucky to have had him as an instructor at Yale.

Professor Elbousty is incredibly skilled at what he does. The main thing I would like to highlight is his unmatched skill at running a seminar. Regardless of the topic, the debates and discussions are always electrifying, engaging, and equal. This is in the sense that Elbousty gracefully runs the line between lecturing students and guiding them, while also giving them full liberty to experiment with their own ideas. The classes are not dominated linearly by a single idea, but Elbousty always manages to guide students into connecting their thoughts with the topic at hand. The ability to run a seminar like this is rare and incredibly difficult to learn; Elbousty, without a doubt, carries this ability naturally through his exciting engagement with the material he teaches. It is hard to point at anything he could have improved as a professor this year. The only possibly thing is that we often get too engaged with a single thought that our excitement causes us to neglect the rest of the material at hand, but this is hardly a negative thing.

Prof. Elbousty is an incredible instructor. His thoughtful analysis of the issues is thought-provoking, and his passion for the literature is really inspiring. Anyone who would take the course would immensely benefit from Professor Elbousty’s guidance and expertise. The level of engagement he provides the students is really unparalleled here at Yale, and I wish more professors will follow his lead.

Professor Elbousty is easily one of the best professors at Yale. As a STEM student, most of my classes have been in the format of lectures, so it was very refreshing to be in a seminar where I got to actively engage with the professor. Not only is he quite smart and knowledgeable on the topic, he is very open minded and willing to hear what we have to say about the readings, and will not dismiss any ideas being presented. He is simultaneously a great lecturer and a very observant member in all of our discussions, consistently building on our ideas and helping us form a holistic understanding of all the readings.

Professor Elbousty is a gem that must be guarded at all costs. He creates a classroom atmosphere in which all students feel comfortable and feel free to speak their mind. He can teach about so many different topics from philosophy to literature to politics and so much more. He has designed a course that should set a standard for all other courses. His course is the type of course you come to Yale for… the one where you learn from your instructor but also your form peers… the one in which you build personal connections with others. I learned so much more from and about my peers (some of whom I “knew” before the course) than I did in any other class I have taken. Elbousty tells things as they are and he is so down to Earth. He makes it overtly clear that he truly cares about each of his students and respects their thoughts and what they have to offer. He makes you feel like the expert and professional that you are and will be in the future. He’s the supportive friend you’re missing in your life. He makes sure that every student gets the attention they deserve and makes sure that each student gets the most out of the course. I have only known him for five weeks but I, as well as, all of my peers knew from the start that he was phenomenal. A text I received during the second week of the course from my suite mate who took the course with me reads: “He ‘s the best professor I’ve had at yale by far.” When he was wrapping up the course yesterday, I was truly getting emotional. You don’t do work in Elbousty’s class just to complete assignments and get a grade… you do the work because you want to… that’s the type of course Elbousty has designed. Any time spent in a classroom led by Elbousty is time well spent. I have two more years left at Yale… if I am unable to take another Elbousty course it will be the tragedy of my time here.

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