Periodization is central to the social sciences and humanities, where it is often the cite of multidisciplinary debate. Interest in the question of periodization among Western academics predates that among Arab scholars, despite the centrality of the question. Ostour highlighted this issue at a symposium on December 20, 2015. The proceedings were divided into three main sessions: "Periodization and the Forms Taken by Periodization"; "Periodization in Various Domains: Experiences and Approaches"; and "Periodization in the Social Sciences and Humanities".