Photo of Yaron Klein

Yaron Klein

Associate Professor of Arabic, Middle Eastern Languages
Chair of Middle Eastern Languages, Middle Eastern Languages

Director of Judaic Studies
Director of Middle East Studies, Middle Eastern Languages
Senior Lecturer in Oud

Education & Professional History

Tel Aviv University, BA; Harvard University, AM, PhD

My research interests lie at the intersection of literature and music. I have published articles on the discourse on music in premodern philosophical and Islamic writings, among others, in the writings of al-Fārābī and al-Ghazālī, and on ʿAbbāsid court poetry.

At Carleton, I teach in the Department of Middle Eastern Languages, where I offer Arabic language courses from elementary to advanced, and a variety of courses on Classical (Premodern) Arabic literature, in Arabic and in translation, and on contemporary Arab music. I also teach oud (the “Arab Lute”) in the music department, and direct Middle Eastern Music chamber groups.


At Carleton since 2009.

Highlights & Recent Activity

“Musical Instruments in Samāʿ Literature: al-Udfuwī’s Kitāb al-imtāʿ bi-aḥkām al-samāʿ“, Oriens (2023) 1–24.

Current Courses

  • Fall 2023
    ARBC 101: Elementary Arabic
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    ARBC 204: Intermediate Arabic
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    MELA 290: Independent Project
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    MUSC 172: Oud
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    MUSC 172J: Oud (Juried)
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    MUSC 272: Oud
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    MUSC 272J: Oud (Juried)
  • Winter 2024
    ARBC 205: Intermediate Arabic
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    MUSC 172: Oud
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    MUSC 172J: Oud (Juried)
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    MUSC 272: Oud
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    MUSC 272J: Oud (Juried)
  • Spring 2024
    ARBC 185: The Creation of Classical Arabic Literature
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    ARBC 387: The One Thousand and One Nights
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    MUSC 172: Oud
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    MUSC 172J: Oud (Juried)
  •  
    MUSC 194: Chamber Music
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    MUSC 272: Oud
  •  
    MUSC 272J: Oud (Juried)