Portland State University Middle East Studies Center Lecture Series

Written by Abu'l Qasim Firdausi at the end of the tenth century, the Shahnameh, the Persian Book of Kings, traces the course of Persian history from Creation to the mid-seventh century.

The Middle East Studies Center's monthly brownbag Lunch and Learn series provides an opportunity for the campus community to learn more about the Middle East through informal presentations and discussions with scholars and experts.

This illustrated talk discussed the Central Asian and Afghan origins of the Mughal Empire of India (1526-1739/1858) as revealed in the Turki or Chaghatai Turkish autobiography of the founder of the Empire, Zahir al-Din Muhammad Babur (1483-1530).

A discussion of Tunisia's first post-transition election following the ratification of its constitution by the constituent assembly.

A look at some of the continuities and connections between earlier and contemporary Iranian Women's writing.

Miko Peled is an Israeli writer and activist living in San Diego. His book _The General's Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine_ follows the development of the Israeli Palestinian issue from a national and personal perspective.

A panel discussion centering on the film, The Suffering Grasses, directed by Iara Lee, which aims to give voice to those most affected by the violence in Syria.

A roundtable discussion with the Readers of Homer, students, faculty and community participants, following a marathon Iliad reading.

An informal discussion of contemporary Tunisia

Few would have ever anticipated that events 'triggering' the 'Arab Spring' would have come from Tunisia, and fewer still would have thought Algeria would weather the subsequent storm.

In October 2012 Hellenic Studies was honored to welcome the Onassis Scholar Program to Oregon with a three-lecture series by Professor Dimitrios Tsougarakis, renowned scholar of Byzantine history from the Ionian University, Greece.

Does territory exist over which sovereignty has been sought politically or militarily, or which would be insisted upon in the course of current territorial negotiations, solely because of its access to water sources?

Critical observation of Gulf cities' development in the last decade reveals a number of architectural and urban paradigms.

Research on Dubai has typically focused on the city's spectacular and rapid urban transformation. Yasser Elsheshtawy goes beyond the city as spectacle by exploring and uncovering its hidden spaces.

The solid gold headpiece crowning the mummy of the boy-king Tutankhamun is surely the best-known Egyptian artwork in the world. Or is it? While many have looked, all have failed to see.