IPE380:GODS,GUNS,ANDOILINTHEMIDDLEEAST
Spring2016TuTh12:30-1:50
McIntyre309
ProfessorBradfordDillman Office:McIntyre209
OfficeHours:Tue2-3,Wed12-2,andbyappointment
Contact:(253)879-3594;bdillman@pugetsound.edu
Homepagewww.pugetsound.edu/faculty-pages/bdillman
CourseDescription
This course examines efforts by states in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) to resist
foreignpowers,establishpeace,andadapttotheglobaleconomy.Withmixedresults,states
havetriedtoreformtheirpoliticalandeconomicinstitutionsinthefaceofreligiousradicalism,
armed conflict, and changes in global markets. Simply stated, gods, guns, and oil have
constrained governments (and sometimes provided them with opportunities) as they try to
holdontopowerandconfrontpressuresfromneighborsandtheUnitedStates.Attentionwill
bepaidtotherelationshipsthatexistbetweengovernments,outsidepowers,andopposition
groups.
Thefirstpartofthecourselooksatthehistoryoftheregionandcontemporarysocio-economic
characteristics. Second, we survey the Arab Spring and the political role of Islamists, then
examineindepthAlgeria’scivilwarandpoliticalreconciliationsince1989.Third,weexplorethe
impactofoilondevelopmentandontheMENA’srelationswiththerestoftheworld.Fourth,
we turn to Iraq, examining the global sanctions on the country from 1990-2002 and the
Americanoccupation.Fifth,wetakeadetailedlookattheSyriancivilwar,theroleofforeign
actorsinit,andthehumanitariancrisis.Finally,westudyMorocco’soccupationoftheWestern
SaharaandtheUN’sefforttocompleteapeaceprocessthere.Bytheendofthecourseyouwill
have gained a broad understanding of economic and political changes in the MENA and
knowledgeofrelationshipsbetweentheregionandexternalpowers.
PrimaryReadings
! James Le Sueur, Between Terror and Democracy: Algeria since 1989 (London: Zed Books,
2010)
! MelaniCammett,IshacDiwan,AlanRichard,andJohnWaterbury,APoliticalEconomyofthe
MiddleEast,4thed.(Boulder,CO:WestviewPress,2015)
! SamerAbboud,Syria(Malden,MA:PolityPress,2016)
! Joy Gordon, Invisible War: The United States and the Iraq Sanctions (Cambridge, MA:
HarvardUniversityPress,2010)
! Other required readings and audio-visual material are listed in the class schedule and are
availableonMoodle.Thesematerialsareanintegralpartofthecourse.
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Expectations
ATTENDANCE:Regularattendanceandpunctualityarerequired.Advancenoticeofanabsencedue
to illness or other legitimate reason should be given when possible. More than 3 unexcused
absenceswillaffectyourparticipationgrade.Morethan5absenceswillresultinafailinggradefor
thecourse.AftereveryclassIrecordattendance.
EXAMSANDWRITINGASSIGNMENTS:Iwillhandoutastudyguidebeforeeachexam.Examswill
consist of a combination of essays, short answers, and identifications. The final exam is not
comprehensive;itprimarilycoversthematerialfromafterthemidterm.Examsmustbetakenon
thescheduleddateunlessthereisalegitimate,documentedreasonforabsence.Atvarioustimes
duringthesemesterIwillprovideyou(viaMoodleoremail)severalquestionsabouttheassigned
readings.Youwilltypeshortanswerstothesequestionsandsubmitthemtomebythenextclass.
Writingassignmentsmustbeturnedinontheduedate.Latepaperswillbepenalizedahalfgrade
for each day late unless you provide documentation in advance of legitimate, extraordinary
circumstances.
PLAGAIRISM: It is your responsibility to be familiar with the Student Integrity Code and UPS’
policies on academic honesty—particularly with regard to the serious consequences for
plagiarism—as explained in The Logger and at http://www.pugetsound.edu/student-life/studenthandbook/academic-handbook/academic-integrity.
READINGS:Youareexpectedtoreadassignedmaterialsbeforeeachclassandtakenotesonthem.
I will often ask you to answer specific questions about the assigned readings during class
discussions.
LAPTOP POLICY: Notebook computers are not to be used in class unless approved by me or the
OfficeofAccessibilityandAccommodation.
PARTICIPATION: Your meaningful participation is what leads to a productive class. I expect
thoughtful comments, consistent note-taking, and demonstrated ability to engage with class
readings. Valuable participation also requires equanimity, respect for the opinions of fellow
students, and the ability to assess issues with an open mind. Do not interrupt others who are
talking,hogtheconversation,ormakeflippantremarks.Youarepartofasharedendeavortogain
knowledge;yourengagementwiththecoursehelpseveryone.Yourparticipationgradeassessesa
varietyoffactorsincludingyourintellectualcuriosity,self-motivation,criticalthinking,andeverydayinvolvementintheclass.Taketheinitiativetodrawconnectionstonewissuesandtopointout
tomerelevantnewsitemsandarticlesthatyoucomeacross.Ipreferthatdiscussionproceedvia
raisingofyourhandsothateachpersonhasanequalopportunitytojoinin.
OFFICE VISITS: I expect you to stop by my office in McIntyre 209 several times in the semester,
whether for a quick question or an extended discussion. Take the initiative to ask questions,
demonstrate that you understand the readings, and draw connections to new issues. I am
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interested in your opinions, observations, and materials that you come across that relate to the
MiddleEastandNorthAfrica.
OfficeofAccessibilityandAccomodations
If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course
work,pleasecontactPeggyPerno,DirectoroftheOfficeofAccessibilityandAccommodations,105
Howarth, 253.879.3395. She will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and
appropriate.Allinformationanddocumentationisconfidential.
BereavementPolicy:UponapprovalfromtheDeanofStudents’Office,studentswhoexperiencea
deathinthefamily,includingparent,grandparent,sibling,orpersonslivinginthesamehousehold,
are allowed three consecutive weekdays of excused absences, as negotiated with the Dean of
Students.Formoreinformation,pleaseseetheAcademicHandbook.
ClassroomEmergencyResponse
Please review university emergency preparedness and response procedures posted at
www.pugetsound.edu/emergency.Thereisalinkontheuniversityhomepage.Familiarizeyourself
with hall exit doors and the designated gathering area for your class and laboratory buildings. If
buildingevacuationbecomesnecessary(e.g.earthquake),meetyourinstructoratthedesignated
gatheringareasoshe/hecanaccountforyourpresence.Thenwaitforfurtherinstructions.Donot
return to the building or classroom until advised by a university emergency response
representative.
Ifconfrontedbyanactofviolence,bepreparedtomakequickdecisionstoprotectyoursafety.Flee
theareabyrunningawayfromthesourceofdangerifyoucansafelydoso.Ifthisisnotpossible,
shelter in place by securing classroom or lab doors and windows, closing blinds, and turning off
roomlights.Lieontheflooroutofsightandawayfromwindowsanddoors.Placecellphonesor
pagersonvibratesothatyoucanreceivemessagesquietly.Waitforfurtherinstructions.
Grading
Your work is assessed on the basis of a number of criteria, including: depth of analysis; clarity;
organization;strengthofassertions;properbalancebetweendescriptionandanalysis;knowledge
of(andreflectionon)thereadings;andattentiontostyle,grammar,andpunctuation.Iexpectyou
totakeadvantageofmywrittenfeedbackanddiscussionswithmetoconstantlystrivetodoyour
bestwork.
93-100(A),90-92(A-)–Excellent
87-89(B+),83-86(B)–Good
80-82(B-)77-79(C+)–Satisfactory
73-76(C),70-72(C-)–Belowaverage
67-69(D+),63-66(D),60-62(D-)–Poor
Below60(F)–Failing
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PerformanceMeasures
• Midterm(25%)
• Finalexam(25%)
• ResearchPaper(25%)
• WritingAssignments(15%)
• Preparation,ParticipationandAttendance(10%)
GuidelinesfortheResearchPaper
ThepaperwillexamineakeyissueintheMiddleEastandNorthAfricarelatedtothethemesofthe
course. Choose a topic you are interested in and can find library material on. It is always a good
ideatonarrowthefocusofyourpaper;itwillmakeyourtaskeasier.Atthebeginningofthepaper,
stateclearlywhatyouaretryingtoexplain,whyitisimportant,andwhatthereadershouldexpect
tofindbytheendofthepaper.Yourconclusionshouldbeareformulation—notrepeat—ofwhat
youwroteearlier.Keepinmindthatyoushouldtrytosupportyourthesis,not“prove”it.Maintain
nuance and balance, pose reasonable explanations, acknowledge competing explanations, and
includesupportingdata.
A strong paper will use a mix of books, journal articles, and Internet sources. The paper will be
approximately13pages,using1-inchmarginsanda12-pointfont.UsetheChicagostyleofauthordateparentheticalcitationandreferencing.Includeabibliographyandatitlepage.Numberevery
page. Identify the sources of all quotes, ideas, and paraphrased material. Opinions that are not
originally yours must be cited. Direct quotations must be entirely enclosed in quotation marks.
Avoidexcessivelycloseparaphrasingoruseofjustonesourceforseveralconsecutivepages.Take
time to proofread for errors of spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Keep copies of your rough
drafts.Don’thesitatetoseekassistancefromme,theWritingCenter,andthereferencelibrarians.
ThepaperisdueonApril21st.
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ClassSchedule
PARTI:HISTORY,PERCEPTIONS,ANDECONOMIES
Jan19:IntroductiontotheCourse
Jan21:AnOverviewoftheMiddleEastandNorthAfrica
• Bradford Dillman, “The Middle East: The Quest for Development and Democracy,” in
Introduction to International Political Economy, 6th edition, eds. Dave Balaam and Bradford
Dillman.NewYork:Pearson(2014),pp.348-377
Jan26:PerceptionsoftheMiddleEast:FromOrientalismtotheSo-CalledWaronTerror
• Rashid Khalidi, “The United States in Middle Eastern Eyes,” in Resurrecting Empire: Western
FootprintsandAmerica’sPerilousPathintheMiddleEast(Boston:Beacon,2004),pp.30-36
• DouglasLittle,“TrueLies?:FromBlackSeptembertoDesertStorm,”inAmericanOrientalism:
TheUnitedStatesandtheMiddleEastsince1945,3rded.(ChapelHill,NC:UniversityofNorth
CarolinaPress,2008),pp.25-42
Jan28:Socio-EconomicConditions
• CammettandDiwan,ch.2(pp.35-71)andpp.147-158
Feb2:EconomicConstraints
• CammettandDiwan,pp.199-208,258-269,273-287
PARTII:ISLAMISM,DEMOCRATIZATION,ANDTHEARABSPRING
Feb4:TheArabSpringandIslamistsinComparativePerspective
• CammettandDiwan,ch.12(pp.437-474)
• NoueihedandWarren,TheBattlefortheArabSpring(NewHaven:YaleUniversityPress,2012):
“TheIslamistResurgence”and“EmbracingtheVoid”
Egypt
Feb9:TheLegacyofTahrirSquare
• NoueihedandWarren,“Egypt:ThePharaohFalls,”pp.96-133
Algeria
Feb11:EconomicCrisisandtheRootsofPoliticalUpheaval
• LeSueur,pp.1-52
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Feb16:IslamismandCivilWar
• LeSueur,pp.53-73,122-131,143-168,178-182
Feb18:USPolicytowardsAlgeriaandReconstructioninComparativePerspective
• Bradford Dillman, “Round Up the Unusual Suspects: U.S. Policy Toward Algeria and Its
Islamists,”MiddleEastPolicy9:3(September2001):129-143
• Bradford Dillman, “Illicit Economies and Reconstruction in Iraq, Palestine, and Algeria,” in
RebuildingDevastatedEconomiesintheMiddleEast,ed.LeonardBinder(NewYork:Palgrave,
2007),pp.55-75
Feb23:AmnestyandAmnesiaduringtheBouteflikaEra
• LeSueur,pp.74-97,195-206
PARTIII:THETROUBLEWITHOIL
Feb25:Oil,Development,andDemocracy
• CammettandDiwan,ch.9(pp.319-354)
Mar1:MENAOilandtheGlobalEconomy
• CammettandDiwan,ch.13(pp.475-513)
Mar3:OilandWarintheMiddleEast
• JeffColgan,“FuelingtheFire:PathwaysfromOiltoWar,”InternationalSecurity38:2(Fall2013):
147-180
Mar8:
MidtermExam
PARTIV:SUPERPOWERS,SECTARIANISM,ANDSANCTIONS
TheTragedyofIraq
Mar10:TheSanctionsSetup
• JoyGordon,chs.1-3(pp.1-60)
Mar12-20: SpringBreak–NoClass
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Mar22:DestructionofaSociety
• JoyGordon,chs.4-6(pp.61-124)
Mar24:Congress,Sanctions,andOil-for-Food
• JoyGordon,chs.7-9(pp.125-189)
Mar29:SanctionsUnravel(PreludetoWar)
• JoyGordon,chs.10-12(pp.190-245)
Mar31:TheAmericanOccupation
• JohnTirman,inTheDeathofOthers:TheFateofCiviliansinAmerica’sWars(NewYork:Oxford
University Press, 2011), “9/11 and the War on Terrorism,” “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” “The
People:MayThisBetheLastofYourSorrows,”and“TheAmericanPublic,”pp.211-267
TheSyrianTragedy
Apr5:SyrianHistory
• SamerAbboud,Introductionandch.1(pp.1-47)
Apr7:UprisingandCivilWar
• SamerAbboud,chs.2and3(pp.48-119)
Apr12:ForeignInterventioninSyria
• SamerAbboud,chs.4and5(pp.120-187)
Apr14:TheHumanitarianCrisis
• SamerAbboud,ch.6andConclusion(pp.188-228)
Apr19:ISISandUSPolicyintheMiddleEast
• Noreading
Apr21:ResearchPaperDue
• Presentationsofresearchpaperfindings
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PARTV:OCCUPATIONSAND“PEACEPROCESSES”
TheWesternSaharaandMorocco
Apr26:Africa’sLastAnti-ColonialStruggle
• Stephen Zunes, “Western Sahara, Resources, and International Accountability,” in Global
Change,Peace&Security27:3(2015):285-299
Apr28:ElusiveConflictResolution
•
StephenZunesandJacobMundy,WesternSahara:War,Nationalism,andConflictIrresolution
(Syracuse,NY:SyracuseUniversityPress,2010):pp.151-166,229-253,259-265
May3:MiddleEastOccupationsinComparativePerspective
• Noreading
May12:Finalexam(12:00-2:00pm)
Note:Thissyllabusissubjecttochange