Student Projects

AAST 3150/ HIST 3671: Introduction to Arab American Studies

Personal Narratives and Museum Archives

Student Projects: Winter 2023 with Dr. Pauline Homsi Vinson

The work included here is a selection of student projects submitted to Pauline Homsi Vinson's Course: AAST 3150/ HIST 3671: Introduction to Arab American Studies, Winter 2023.

The students in this course went on a docent-led tour of the Arab American National Museum, which the museum graciously extended to the students free of charge. Students were then asked to write a photo essay based on their museum visit, personal experiences, and course readings. The project asked them to do the following:

Place some aspect of a personal experience related to either personal family life or the city of Dearborn (captured in a photo) in relation to an archival object available at the Arab American National Museum (also captured in a photo). Analyze the relationship between the two photos through a critical context or theme related to Arab American studies that is developed in Sajjilu Arab American: A Reader in SWANA Studies, edited by Louise Cainkar, Pauline Homsi Vinson, and Amira Jarmakani. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 2022.

Some guiding questions the students were given included: What story does the photo of your family life or Dearborn tell? What story does the photo of the museum object tell? What concept in Arab American studies is developed in your chosen essay from Sajjilu Arab American, and how does it relate to the photos you are analyzing? How do the archive and critical essay help us place your personal or Dearborn story in a larger context of Arab American experience? What is this larger story?

Enjoy these selected student projects!

"Cultural Continuity: The Preservation of Cultural Everyday Items Within the Arab American Community" by Hajer Yousif

For Arab communities in diaspora, especially ones forcibly displaced because of instability and war, there are various ways for expressing identity and cultural continuity.

"Beyond the Headlines: Navigating Arab and Muslim Identities" by Ameer Bazzi

The events of September 11, 2001 had a significant effect on American society, especially Arab and Muslim communities who experienced discrimination, racial profiling, and hate crimes.

"Arab-Americans in Baseball" by Alyssa Harajli

In America, Arabs are rarely seen in any sort of American sports league, especially that baseball, also known as “America’s National Pastime” (National Baseball Hall of Fame). The majority of baseball players are of white descent.

"Basra" by Zahraa Manasir

My project, titled "Basra," draws inspiration from my father's immigration to the United States from the city of Basra in Iraq. As an Arab American college student, I aim to connect with readers who share a similar background.

"Love vs. Fear" by Riyanne Wazne

Arab Americans—especially Muslims—have faced discrimination in the United States with increased certainty since 9/11. Muslims have found and still find it extremely difficult to deal with racial tension from white supremacists.