Well, it may not be a major social revolution, but the fact that a Saudi university is going to offer a course in drama is pretty remarkable. This Asharq Alawsat report on King Saud University’s initiative states that the course will be offered to both male and female students; I’m assuming the course will not be co-ed, as that really would be revolutionary (and something that King Abdullah University for Science & Technology will be the first to offer in September). But teaching drama, a course much loathed by religious conservatives, is worth noting. What role it will play for the future of Saudi cinema will remain to be seen, of course, but there’s a lot of potential.

Drama to be Taught in Saudi Arabia for the First Time
man al Khaddaf

Dammam, Asharq Al-Awsat- In a step considered the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, the King Saud University in Riyadh will launch a drama course next year.

It will be the first Saudi university to offer such a specialized course, which will teach male and female students about the dramatic arts. The course will be launched in the academic year of 2009/2010, an official university source told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The source underlined that the Drama course will work in favour of young Saudi cinematic production and said that ‘through the course, we will support cinema.’
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