Course Syllabus
Course Content
In this course we will examine the Middle East from an interdisciplinary perspective, including the region's history, geography, politics, economy, religions and cultures. We will cover a wide variety of topics, but always within an integrative context in order that the student realize and appreciate the relationships between a given region's geography, society and economy. Ultimately, the purpose of the course is to provide an introductory approach to better understanding not only the social dynamics of this fascinating region, but also to help the student acquire the tools needed to better understand and interpret events throughout the globe in a more scientific and sophisticated manner.
Readings: 1. Dinero ERes (ERes) (http://eres.philau.edu, PASSWORD = Mideast)
2. Understanding the Contemporary Middle East. Gerner, Deborah J. (ed.) Lynne Rienner, Boulder: 2004. (Book)
3. Additional current events readings
Class Schedule:
Introduction to the course
Book: pps. 5-32
Historical/Geographical Background
The Classical Middle East
Book: pps. 33-38 (skim); 38-47
Map Quiz
Middle East Meets West
Book: pps. 47-78
Politics
Western Colonialism and Neo-Colonialism
ERes: Orientalism; Crusades
Book: pps. 79-168
Algeria video
Tunisia slides
Iraq lecture
Paper Part I
The Arab-Israeli and Palestinian-Israeli Conflicts
Book: pps. 169-210
ERes: Gilboa 1, Gilboa 2, Abu-Amr1, Abu-Amr2, Abu-Amr3, Khalidi
Additional readings: TBA
Oil Politics
Book: 249-72
First Exam
Social Life and Religion
The Middle Eastern Family
ERes: Family 1-4
Book: pps. 299-334
Exam Return/discussion
Paper Parts I/II
Clothing and Textiles as Cultural Indicators
ERes: Clothing/Stitchery, Clothing 1-4
Issues of Gender
ERes: Barbie Doll, Women 1-2
Book: pps. 335-362
Islam in Practice
ERes: Islam, Terror
Book: pps. 369-371; 377-386
The Minorities: Jews & Christians
ERes: Dhimmi 1-2, Christians
Book: 372-377
Urbanism and Economic Issues
Urban Life in the Middle East
ERes: Islamic City 1-3, Cairo 1-2
Book: pps. 273-97
Cairo video
Local Commerce
ERes: Suq
Dubai PowerPoint
Course Summary and Conclusions
The Future of the Middle East
ERes: Peres 1-3; Lewis
Book: pps. 425-37
Arab-Israeli Conflict simulation (Specifics TBA)
Student evaluations
Final Paper
Course Requirements and Grade Content
Reading the assigned readings, attending class, and participating in discussions are crucial to success in this course. You are responsible on the marked date for all reading assigned for that class.
In addition to a midterm and final exam, students are required to write a short paper in 3 parts (see below for details). All parts of the paper are graded.
The final course grade will be determined as follows:
Paper (35%, divided as follows)
Draft 1: Part I 5%
Draft 2: Parts I/II 10%
Draft 3: Parts I/II/III 20%
First Exam 20%
Final Exam 30%
Class attendance (12 ten-point in-class writing assignments), map quiz 15%
____
TOTAL 100%
Paper Assignment
1. Paper Design - This paper is divided into 3 submissions. The first draft includes the first part only (I), the second draft includes a revised Part I and a Part II and the third draft includes a Part III and a revised parts I and II. In other words, the first draft will be 3-4 pages long, the second draft 6-8 pages long, and the third and final draft will be 9-12 pages long.
2. Paper Requirements - Each paper submission, which will be graded, must:
a. Be analytical, not merely descriptive (i.e. answer the question “Why?”, not simply “What?”)
b. Be clearly presented and well organized.
c. Have a bibliography
d. Have footnoted quotes or ideas, which are imbedded in the text (author, date: page) as follows:
The frustrations of joblessness, a sense of weakness in relation to the government (Billsom, 1990: 206), and other aspects of displacement may be played out violently by a Bedouin male upon those to whom he is closest.
Endnotes/footnotes are not acceptable! Failure to cite your sources amounts to plagiarism, and will result in a) a failing grade for the assignment and b) possible additional disciplinary action by the University.
e. Have proper grammar and spelling.
3. Paper Topic, in 3 Parts – The Israeli Government carried out a plan of military disengagement earlier this month. This included the removal of Jewish Settlements in an area know as Gush Katif.
PART I
Using American print media (Philadelphia Inquirer, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, Time), television and radio (CNN, McNeil/Lehrer Report, National Public Radio), provide a 3-4 page summary that answers the following questions:
· What are the specifics of the disengagement? What is the basic history/background that led to this action?
· What happened over the past few weeks, and why? What made this disengagement significant?
PART II - This includes a revised/improved version of Part I, as well as the following:
Using the popular media from ISRAEL ONLY (Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Report, Ha’aretz, Kol Yisrael, etc.), answer the following questions in 3-4 pages:
How do Jewish Israelis feel about the disengagement? Who was for it? Who was against it? What was the rationale behind their arguments?
PART III - This includes a revised/improved version of Parts I and II, as well as the following:
Using the popular MIDDLE EASTERN ARAB MEDIA ONLY (newspapers/radio/tv; see my webpage), answer the following questions in 3-4 pages:
· How do the Palestinians and other Arabs feel about the Israeli disengagement? Can you identify opposing sides or views? Try using editorial sections, or sections entitled “Analysis” to identify attitudes that may not be clearly identified within news articles.
4. Paper Grading Policies:
A. A PAPER WHICH IS MISSING A BIBLIOGRAPHY OR IN-TEXT CITATIONS ON ANY PART OF THE PAPER WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF “F” FOR THAT SUBMISSION. AN “F” IS WORTH 0 POINTS TOWARD THE FINAL GRADE.
B. Late papers will not be accepted, and will receive an "F" (equal to 0 points).
C. Papers with spelling errors will be deducted one-half of a letter grade for each error (i.e. an A- paper which has 2 errors will receive a B).
D. Email submissions of the paper will not be accepted.
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Steven C. Dinero, Ph.D., Philadelphia University