Breakout Sessions
Morning 10:45 – 11:30 - (4 sessions will run simultaneously)
1. The Impact of Islam on Arab Women’s Lives
Presenter: Rima Charara
Room: Rosenau A
Connected to women only
- Impact of religion on their lives
- The Imam acts as a psychologist
- Are religious practices imposed or personal convictions?
- Multiple Wives (What is the relationship between the women?)
- What happens when culture clashes with our legal system? Marriages, divorces, discipline, domestic violence etc.
- Birth control
- Medical records/privacy
- Medical procedures
Attitudes toward sexual issues:
- Premarital
- After marriage
- Gays
2. Women’s Rights and Islamic Jurisprudence
Presenter: Dr. Moulouk Berry
Room: Rosenau B
- Islamic law and gender
- Is there a divergence between theoretical statements about the rights and status of women in Islam and the actual implementation or application of these rights?
- Does Islam promote women’s agency and negotiating stance in our culture and history?
- What is the Qur'anic view on women’s integration into the public sphere
- Does Islam seek to empower men over women?
- What strategies should be pursued to help ensure equal rights and opportunities for women within the legal framework?
3. Social Relationships
Presenter: Dr. Hoda Amin
Room:
Forfa Auditorium
- Friends (male friends of the opposite sex)
- Engagements – What is the process? How long?
- Marriages – age, arranged / choice, age difference, money
- Email / social networks (Facebook)
- Divorces
- First, second, third generation - assimilation
- Who assimilates? Who doesn’t? Community reaction?
- Resistant to assimilation. Discuss the issues related to a closed society. What happens when the kids assimilate and the elders don’t?
- What happens when the children refuse to speak Arabic?
- How do they preserve the home culture?
- When do you become a hyphenated person? Arab-American
- How do you learn English in a closed society where everyone speaks only Arabic?
4. Arab Women Writers
Presenter: Dr. Wijdan AlSayegh
Room: Michael Berry Auditorium
- Challenges facing Arab women writers
- Camouflaged writing
- Misogynists societies
- Females who adopt the culture of misogynist societies
- Propaganda – Female writers – display beauty?
Afternoon 2:20 -3:10 - (4 sessions will run simultaneously)
5. Woman’s role in the family
Presenter: Camille Bazzy Alawan
Room: Rosenau A
- Decision making
- Money matters
- Shopping
- Role of a mother / wife
- Making a living - Husband? Wife?
- Female education -Taboo? Necessary gender separation?
- Child rearing and discipline
- Keeping tradition
- Education for Arab women - Are study groups acceptable even though there might be males in the group? Does the husband allot his wife time for homework?
Changing Attitudes toward Female Education
- Study groups: Is this uncomfortable for Arab-American students?
- Choices?
- Homework for moms – find the time?
- Housework responsibilities for students / moms
- Education for women for security in case of loss of husband
6. Career Choices and Views on Family Economics
Presenter: Jumana Judeh
Room - Rosenau B
- Career Choices
- Taboo choices – Doctors, nurses, etc.
- What is acceptable?
- What is unacceptable?
- Traditional choices and non-traditional choices
- Opening own business?
- Working for husband / family businesses?
- Parental expectations
7. The Impact of Islam on Arab Women’s Lives
Presenter: Najah Bazzy
Room: Rosenau C
Connected to women only
- Impact of religion on their lives
- The Imam acts as a psychologist
- Are religious practices imposed or personal convictions?
- Multiple Wives (What is the relationship between the women?)
- What happens when culture clashes with our legal system? Marriages, divorces, discipline, domestic violence, etc.
- Birth control
- Medical records / privacy
- Medical procedures
Attitudes toward sexual issues:
- Premarital
- After marriage
- Gays
8. Media Myths and Stereotypes
Presenter: Zana Macki
Room: Michael Berry Auditorium
- Concept of covering
- Women’s position in the family
- Talk shows
- Film portrayal
Home