CLS 136 — Cities of Intrigue: Istanbul, Jerusalem, Isfahan, and Cairo
Quarter: Winter
Instructor(s): Patrick Hunt
Date(s): Jan 20—Mar 10
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Wednesdays
Class Meeting Time: 7:00—8:50 pm (PT)
Tuition: $495
Refund Deadline: Jan 22
Unit(s): 1
Status: Registration opens Nov 30, 8:30 am (PT)
Istanbul, Jerusalem, Isfahan, and Cairo have stood at the crossroads of continents, faiths, and empires, shaping the history of the Middle East and the wider world for centuries. Each rose as an imperial capital or sacred center, and all of them witnessed kingdoms and dynasties rise and fall. Istanbul bridged Europe and Asia as the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Jerusalem became one of history's most sacred and contested cities, revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Isfahan flourished under the Safavids as a masterpiece of Persian architecture and urban design. Cairo rose as the intellectual and political heart of the Arab world, where great mosques, markets, and centers of learning shaped centuries of Islamic civilization. We'll explore what made each city distinctive and trace the religions, trade networks, and rivalries that connected them across time. Each city will be brought to life through lecture, discussion, maps, and rich visual material.
This course is the second in a three-part series. Each course focuses on four different cities: London, Paris, Berlin, and Vienna (Fall 2026); Istanbul, Jerusalem, Isfahan, and Cairo (Winter 2027); and Venice, Florence, Rome, and Milan (Spring 2027). While the courses build upon one another, each can also be taken independently.