Faculty Profile
Magda Siekert
(she/her/hers)Senior Lecturer in Middle East Studies (2009)
Contact Information
Denny Hall Room 10C
717-254-8146
Bio
Magda Siekert came to Dickinson in 2009 from the Department of State where she served for 22 years as a Foreign Service Officer with postings at US embassies in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Latin America and specializing in U.S. public diplomacy. She earned a Masters, and completed all the coursework and comprehensive exams for a PhD in Arabic Studies at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. She also holds a Masters in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) from the American University in Cairo, Egypt. She taught at Georgetown University, the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies, and at the American University in Cairo. Her research interests include US public diplomacy, Arabic language pedagogy, literature, cinema, culture and language across the curriculum, and Arabic for specific purposes.
Education
- B.A., Cairo University, 1977
- M.A., The American University in Cairo, 1980
- M.A., Georgetown University, 1981
- Ph.D.,1983
2023-2024 Academic Year
Fall 2023
FYSM 100 First-Year Seminar
The First-Year Seminar (FYS) introduces students to Dickinson as a "community of inquiry" by developing habits of mind essential to liberal learning. Through the study of a compelling issue or broad topic chosen by their faculty member, students will:
- Critically analyze information and ideas
- Examine issues from multiple perspectives
- Discuss, debate and defend ideas, including one's own views, with clarity and reason
- Develop discernment, facility and ethical responsibility in using information, and
- Create clear academic writing
The small group seminar format of this course promotes discussion and interaction among students and their professor. In addition, the professor serves as students' initial academic advisor. This course does not duplicate in content any other course in the curriculum and may not be used to fulfill any other graduation requirement.
ARBI 101 Elementary Arabic
An introduction to Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Introduction to speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in the standard means of communication in the Arab world.
Spring 2024
ARBI 102 Elementary Arabic
Continued introduction to MSA with more advanced development of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills through a greater degree of interaction in the classroom.
Prerequisite: 101.
MEST 200 Arab Cinema
Cross-listed with FMST 210-03 and WGSS 210-07. This course introduces students to Arab society and culture through an exploration of Arab cinema, which has a long and rich tradition. Students will watch a representative selection of Arab films from across the Arab world that reflect the many challenges and narratives in the region. Through the films, we will explore Arab societies and cultures, especially women and sexuality, politics and revolution, and the role of religion and tradition in shaping public discourse and imagination on taboo topics including LGBTQ issues. In addition to weekly film viewings and discussions, we will read critical film and culture theory and analysis as they apply to Arab cinema. The class will be conducted in English and all films will have English subtitles.
WGSS 201 Arab Cinema
Cross-listed with FMST 210-03 and MEST 200-01. This course introduces students to Arab society and culture through an exploration of Arab cinema, which has a long and rich tradition. Students will watch a representative selection of Arab films from across the Arab world that reflect the many challenges and narratives in the region. Through the films, we will explore Arab societies and cultures, especially women and sexuality, politics and revolution, and the role of religion and tradition in shaping public discourse and imagination on taboo topics including LGBTQ issues. In addition to weekly film viewings and discussions, we will read critical film and culture theory and analysis as they apply to Arab cinema. The class will be conducted in English and all films will have English subtitles.
FMST 210 Arab Cinema
Cross-listed with MEST 200-01 and WGSS 201-07.. This course introduces students to Arab society and culture through an exploration of Arab cinema, which has a long and rich tradition. Students will watch a representative selection of Arab films from across the Arab world that reflect the many challenges and narratives in the region. Through the films, we will explore Arab societies and cultures, especially women and sexuality, politics and revolution, and the role of religion and tradition in shaping public discourse and imagination on taboo topics including LGBTQ issues. In addition to weekly film viewings and discussions, we will read critical film and culture theory and analysis as they apply to Arab cinema. The class will be conducted in English and all films will have English subtitles.
MEST 233 U.S. Pub Diplomacy Arab Wrld
Cross-listed with INST 290-04. Part of the Globally Integrated Program in Israel and Palestine.
INST 290 U.S. Pub Diplomacy Arab Wrld
Cross-listed with MEST 233-01. Part of the Globally Integrated Program in Israel and Palestine.