Ata Anzali
Absolutely amazing class—highly recommend. The general structure involved readings and lectures in the first half, then shifted in the second half to primary source readings and more discussion-based classes with less lecturing. The first half was pretty chill, while the second half was more intense since most of the projects and assignments are due then. Professor Ata Anzali is knowledgeable and enthusiastic—I’d 100% take another course with him. The readings were fascinating and covered a wide range of topics including geopolitics, religion, philosophy, ideologies, and more.
Absolutely amazing class—highly recommend. The general structure involved readings and lectures in the first half, then shifted in the second half to primary source readings and more discussion-based classes with less lecturing. The first half was pretty chill, while the second half was more intense since most of the projects and ass …Read more
This class should definitely be on your list—if it ever gets offered again, which I highly doubt. But if by some miracle it is, hey, here’s your review. Professor Anzali is a wonderful human being and easily one of my favorite professors at Middlebury—top two, maybe even number one, sorry Mark Orton. He brings real energy to the classroom, and the course itself was just phenomenal. Obviously, we took a trip to Morocco, which was a top 10 life experience for me. Total immersion—culture, food, people, everything. I mean, need I say more? You’re diving into a topic that doesn’t usually get much attention, yet is incredibly rich in history and complexity. We learned about Morocco’s political structure, the legacy of the French protectorate, and how all of that shaped the very distinct Moroccan Islam that exists today. Incredible course. If they offer it again, and you manage to get in—you’re lucky. No exaggeration: best experience of my life. Period.
This class should definitely be on your list—if it ever gets offered again, which I highly doubt. But if by some miracle it is, hey, here’s your review. Professor Anzali is a wonderful human being and easily one of my favorite professors at Middlebury—top two, maybe even number one, sorry Mark Orton. He brings real energy to the clas …Read more
Professor Atta Anzali is well-versed in Safavid Shi‘ism and, to a decent extent, Sufism. The course is engaging, especially in its treatment of political developments and transformations in the Islamic world. If you’re interested in Shi‘ism, Sufism, or the Safavid and Sasanian Empires, you’ll find that Professor Anzali brings depth and clear passion to these topics. That said, the course largely overlooks foundational aspects of Islamic practice. Traditions like Ramadan, Eid, or the five daily prayers receive little to no attention. Professor Anzali often seemed unenthusiastic—or even dismissive—when it came to these core elements of the religion. His own background and intellectual commitments occasionally shaped the structure of the course in ways that felt limiting. While he is a kind and thoughtful scholar, these biases affected how the material was framed and discussed. For students seeking a balanced overview of Islamic tradition, this may be frustrating. This course is also not beginner-friendly. The opening unit on Islamic foundations is especially daunting without prior exposure. I’d strongly recommend seeking out background resources—there are accessible online lectures and videos that make a huge difference. Overall, this is a good course if you’re looking for a deep dive into specific historical and theological strands of Islam. But for a broader introduction to the tradition, expect to do substantial outside learning.
Professor Atta Anzali is well-versed in Safavid Shi‘ism and, to a decent extent, Sufism. The course is engaging, especially in its treatment of political developments and transformations in the Islamic world. If you’re interested in Shi‘ism, Sufism, or the Safavid and Sasanian Empires, you’ll find that Professor Anzali brings depth a …Read more