How does feminist thought and activism circulate globally?  Which values, ideologies and texual traditions inspire local feminist politics? Which local practices and geopolitical discourses shape regional feminisms? In what ways are local feminisms transnational or global? This course examines the variety of feminist movements in the Middle East and North Africa. Beginning with modern feminist thought and activism in mid-nineteenth century Syria and Egypt, we will trace feminist movements in various contemporary contexts, from Morocco, Iran, Turkey, Tunisia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Egypt in the 20th century, to women’s participation in the Arab Spring and transnational Islamic movements in the 21st century.