St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 8
Global Perspectives
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
1.
Proposal Number:
Prepared by: Aref Hassan
Phone: 308-2529
Email: anhassan@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: Political Science
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: POL 334 Middle East Government and Politics
4.
New Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
No
Yes
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
POL 334. Middle East Government and Politics : Political behavior and institutions in countries of the
Middle East. Prereq: 101 or permission of instructor. 3 Cr. ALT.
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
This course can be taken by any SCSU undergraduate student seeking to take a Liberal Education course
that staisfies Goal Area 8. The course will also fulfill the needs of the Political Science Department and the
International Relations Program in serving as an elective course under the area of Comparative Politics.
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
No changes need to be made.
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
None.
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
12/11/2009
for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
12.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 8: Global Perspectives
Develop a comparative perspective and understanding of one’s place in a global context.
This course will look at the history and politics of the Middle East allowing students to develop an
understanding of Middle Eastern politics and how that relates to the West in general and the United States in
particular. The course will focus on clarifying the connections the Middle East has to the United States
particularly when it comes to topics such as U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, the two Gulf Wars,
dependency on Oil, and American military bases and deployments in the Middle East.
13. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 8, it must address at least 4 of the 5 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Explain how they are connected and related to people elsewhere in the world.
2. Describe similarities and differences among global places and populations.
3. Analyze how political, economic or cultural elements influence relations among the world’s states, peoples, or
societies.
4. Analyze specific international issues and propose and evaluate responses.
5. Articulate a vision of their individual roles and responsibilities in a common global future.
14.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
1-Explain how they are connected and related to people elsewhere in the world.
Students will explore how American foreign policy has and continues to play a role in the events of the Middle
East and how events in the Middle East can have an impact on the interests and national security of the United
States.
2-Describe similarities and differences among global places and populations.
Students will learn about the unique tribal and religious structures in the Middle East and the emergence of the
modern nation state system in the Middle East which mirrors the nation state structures of the West.
3-Analyze how political, economic or cultural elements influence relations among the world's states, peoples, or
societies.
Students will learn about the legacy of colonialism in the Middle East, the rise of Arab Nationalism and later
Islamism, and how all these forces shape the relationships between countries of the Middle East and between the
Middle East and the West.
4-Analyze specific international issues and propose and evaluate responses.
12/11/2009
Students will analyze a number of international issues related to the Middle East such as the Arab Israeli conflict,
the rise of radical nationalist or religious political movements, the failure of the nation-state system, and the lack
of democracy and transparency in government. Part of class discussions will revolve around identifying solutions
and responses to these problems on both the national, regional, and international levels.
15.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
Introduction to ancient civilizations of the Middle East 5 %. Meets SLO: 2
Tribal/Bedouin structures and traditions 5 %. Meets SLO: 2
Islam, its teachings and role in Middle East history and politics 15 %. Meets SLOs: 2,3
The Ottoman Empire 10%. Meets SLOs: 2,3
Turkey 5 %. Meets SLOs: 1,2,3
The Kurds 5%. meets SLOs: 1,2,4
Arab Nationalism and the emergence of the modern nation state system 10 %. Meets SLOs:1,2,3,4
Arab Israeli conflict and American foreign policy 15 %. Meets SLOs: 1,2,3,4
The Gulf Wars 15 %. Meets SLOs: 1,3,4
Iran 10 %. Meets SLOs: 1,2,3,4
Lebanon 5 %. Meets SLOs: 1,2,3,4
12/11/2009
St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department: POL
Course or Course(s): POL 334
Dr. Steven Wagner
Department or Unit Chair Signature
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date