Faculty Profile
Magda Siekert
Senior Lecturer in Middle East Studies (2009)
Contact Information
Denny Hall Denny Hall 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
2026-2027 Academic Year
Fall 2026
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.
ARBI 201 Intermediate Arabic
Introduction to conversation and composition building on the skills developed in 101 and 102.
Prerequisite: 102.
ARBI 360 Current Issues in Middle E
This course will explore current political, economic, and social issues facing citizens in countries across the Arab world. We will explore these issues in the written and broadcast news media and film industry.
Spring 2027
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 WGSS 201-01 and FMST 210-08. 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 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, 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. Given time constraints and the availability of films from the region, we will tackle a representative sample mainly from Egypt, Palestine/Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco. Advanced Arabic students can take the course as a FLIC. The class will be conducted in English, and all films will have English subtitles.
WGSS 201 Arab Cinema
Cross-listed with MEST 200-01 and FMST 210-08. 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 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, 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. Given time constraints and the availability of films from the region, we will tackle a representative sample mainly from Egypt, Palestine/Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco. Advanced Arabic students can take the course as a FLIC. The class will be conducted in English, and all films will have English subtitles.
ARBI 202 Intermediate Arabic
Continued development of conversation and composition skills using current political and social events, stories, essays, and other materials as the topics for discussion and writing assignments.
Prerequisite: 201. This course fulfills the language graduation requirement.
FMST 210 Arab Cinema
Cross-listed with WGSS 201-01 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 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, 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. Given time constraints and the availability of films from the region, we will tackle a representative sample mainly from Egypt, Palestine/Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco. Advanced Arabic students can take the course as a FLIC. The class will be conducted in English, and all films will have English subtitles.
ARBI 360 Current US Relations
Students will read published articles, listen to news interviews and commentaries, watch YouTube programs, check out government websites, and explore other sources to enrich their understanding of current relations.