Life of the mind
The terrorist attacks on September 11 sparked campus interest in global politics and Middle Eastern culture. Here are courses students took to learn more:

Introduction to International Relations
Enrollment in this political-science course jumped from last year's 83 students to 192. Responding to the keen interest in current events, Professor Charles Lipson incorporates news such as the U.S. attack on Afghanistan and the recent Anthrax threat into his lectures on war and peace, security issues, politics, and economics.

World Politics of the Twentieth Century, 1914-1945: A History
This course, also taught by Lipson, had to be moved to a large auditorium to accommodate the 130 enrollees. The students examine the outset of World War I through the end of World War II, focusing on states' military and financial capacities, diplomatic alliances, and attempts to create international institutions.

Elementary Arabic I
The Near Eastern languages and civilizations department, which traditionally offers only one section of Elementary Arabic, added two new classes to fit all the students eager to enroll. These intense language courses meet six hours a week and concentrate on speaking, reading, and skills in modern, formal Arabic.

Introduction to Islamic Civilization I
Enrollment almost doubled from last year's 32 students to 62. The first of a two-quarter sequence surveying the social, religious, and cultural institutions of the Islamic world, this course taught by Professor Wadad Kadi focuses on the Prophet Muhammad, the Koran and Hadith, the Caliphate, sectarian movements, and Arabic literature.