Middle Eastern Studies Course Syllabus—DRAFT
Lincoln High School
Jordan Sudermann
CRN: 2714
Course Website: mes140.wikispaces.com
Instructor Information
e-mail: jsudermann@pps.net
phone: 503.916.5200 x75431
Course Description
This course provides an opportunity to explore the Middle East in a unique fashion that combines
history, politics, and culture while keeping an eye on the wide variety of individual experience of those
living in the Middle East. Throughout the year, we will look at a variety of written documents and visual
media in order to deepen our understanding of the Middle East. The ultimate objective of this course is
to build the background knowledge and critical skills necessary for students to engage in more nuanced
and informed discussions about the Middle East.
The following units are currently expected, but are subject to change:
 Introduction: How we talk about the Middle East
 Islam: Origins, Divisions, Practices, Interpretations
 Gender: Proscriptions, Practices, Perspectives
 Iran: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi; History & Visual Culture
 Current Events: The “Arab Spring”
 Israel/Palestine: Literary Perspectives
 Turkey: Snow by Orhan Pamuk; Religion, Politics, Gender
Student input is expected to influence potential units and topics to round out the course.
Learning Objectives
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To build a knowledge base for nuanced and informed conversations about the Middle East.
To develop a broader awareness of cultures of the Middle East through literature, film, music,
and other cultural practices and products.
To consider the variety of ways in which people engage with religious and cultural practices in
the Middle East.
To consider and analyze the variety of perspectives on historical, cultural, and political issues in
the Middle East.
To connect current events in the Middle East to historical, cultural, and political context.
Course Resources
This course will use a number of written texts, interactive resources, and visual media. Some of these
may be accessible digitally, some will be distributed in class, and some will be checked out from the
book room.
Student Organization
Students will need a composition notebook for note-taking and in-class writing activities. This will be
kept in a teacher-provided hanging folder in the classroom. Students will also need a personal folder
for handouts and other assignments that will store current unit work and ongoing project work
separately. At the end of each unit, unit work from the personal folder will be collected and stored in
the hanging folder.
Assessment and Grading
After an introductory unit worth 100 points, each unit will be worth 200 points.
100 points are available for completing work on time. Classwork and homework will be stamped if
completed when due. All work will be collected and reviewed at the end of each unit. Scores based on
timeliness and completion for each assignment will be averaged and converted to a 100 point value.
 The work that has been submitted by the end of the unit is the work that is graded.
 Complete work that is late is more valuable than incomplete work.
 Active participation in class can benefit your score for this section of the unit grade.
100 points are available for the content of your work. These points will be equally divided between unit
work and end of unit assessments.
 I will only be scoring some of the work you turn in at the end of the unit for content.
Each major assignment outside a specific unit will be worth 200 points. 100 points will be for
completion and timeliness, as with unit work. 100 points will be for the content of your work. Scoring
methods will be based on the nature of the assignment.
Late Work Policy
Allowances will be made for absences, but students are expected to check the course website and make
their best effort to be prepared upon their return. Any other late work will have a negative impact on a
process grade. Remember that work that is complete by the end of a unit, even if it is not complete on
the day due, has greater value than work that is incomplete or missing.
Expectations
Students are expected to be active participants in their learning, to come to class prepared, to follow
classroom guidelines and school policy, and to maintain academic integrity. Students are also expected
to voice their opinions, respect the opinions of others, and be prepared to have their opinions
challenged.
Electronic devices are to be turned off and stowed away.
Student Support
This may be a challenging course for some students. Students are strongly suggested to take advantage
of FLEX time, the Library, and the Writing Center for help. I will be happy to work with students on an
individual basis in order to ensure their learning needs are being met.