Skip to Main Content
Today's Hours:

FSEM 100V6: Arabic Cuisine

A dish of fattoush

 

Welcome! This is a guide to finding sources for FSEM 100V6: Arabic Cuisine.

Types of sources

  Scholarly sources Popular sources
Written by

Scholars

Anyone

Read by Scholars Anyone
Examples
  • Books
  • Journal articles
  • Dissertations
  • Cookbooks
  • Memoirs
  • Recipes
  • Restaurant menus
  • TV shows
  • Videos

Assignment topics

During class, we'll look for popular sources that relate to any of the assignment topics:

Levantine Cuisine: A Reflection of History, Trade, and Shared Cultural Traditions
Levantine cuisine in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine reflects a rich history of migration, cultural exchange, and agricultural diversity. Explore how historical events and geographical factors have shaped this cuisine over time. Discuss the historical roots of at least three iconic dishes and explain how these dishes help preserve and express the region’s cultural identity.

Maghrebi Cuisine: Culinary Diversity Shaped by Trade Routes, Geography, and Heritage
Maghrebi cuisine in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya reflects a fusion of Arab, Berber, Mediterranean, and African influences. Explore how trade routes, geographical features, and local ingredients shaped the region's culinary traditions. Discuss the historical roots of at least three iconic dishes and explain how these dishes represent the cultural heritage and identity of the Maghreb region.

Egyptian (Masri) Cuisine: Ancient Influences and Modern Adaptations in Food Culture
Egyptian (Masri) cuisine combines ancient traditions and contemporary culinary practices. Explore how the Nile River civilization, historical events, and local agriculture have shaped Egypt’s food culture. Discuss the historical roots of at least three iconic dishes and explain how these dishes preserve Egypt’s cultural heritage and are integrated into daily life and celebrations.

Gulf Cuisine: The Role of Spices, Trade, and Hospitality in Shaping Regional Identity
Gulf cuisine in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman reflects centuries of trade, migration, and cultural exchange across the Indian Ocean. Explore how spices, local ingredients, and hospitality traditions shaped the region’s culinary identity. Discuss the historical roots of at least three iconic dishes and explain how these dishes reflect Gulf cultural values and social traditions.

 

In class on October 22nd, please search for popular sources in more than one format (videos, memoirs, recipes, menus, etc.). Try to find as many sources as you can in the time you have.

I recommend using both broad search terms (such as "Egyptian cuisine") and narrow search terms (such as "falafel").

Evaluating sources with the CRAAP Test

The CRAAP Test is a set of five questions to ask about a source:

  • Currency: How current is it?
  • Relevance: Is it relevant to your topic?
  • Authority: Who is the creator of the source? Are they an authority on the topic?
  • Accuracy: Does the source accurately describe or depict the topic?
  • Purpose: For what purpose was the source created?

 

The CRAAP test doesn't measure whether a source is good or bad in general -- instead, it measures whether a source is good or bad for what you're using it for.

Look at a source and ask yourself "What could I use this for?" If you find a good use for the source, then the source will pass the CRAAP test.

We'll practice this in class.

Librarian

Profile Photo
Peter Catlin
he/him