The American University in Cairo
Political Science 422/4422: Seminar: Twentieth Century Egypt
MR 11:30-12:45 (Spring 2015)
Instructor: Dr. Maye Kassem
Office: 2009 HUSS, 1530
Office Hours:
E-mail: mayekasm@aucegypt.edu
Course Objective
This course offers an in-depth analysis of the nature and dynamics of modern Egyptian
politics. In order to familiarize students with post-1952 Egypt, assessments of Egypt
under Mohamed Ali, imperialism, and King Farouk will constitute the introductory
theme of this course. Once the trends and general imprints of each eraare established,
this course will then focus on the major issues and themes confronting and shaping as a
republic and eventually leading to Egypt's post 2011 political arena. Such themes will
include but are not limited to the following: The fall of Mubarak regime, the rise of the
second republic, and the subsequent parliamentary and presidential elections. This
second part of this course will analyze the patterns civil participation, the role of the
military, as well as the role of Muslim Brotherhood and their fall from power after the
30th of June.
Course Requirement
Class participation is mandatory. This will not only indicate whether students have done
their assigned work, but equally important, it will prove useful in allowing participants
to sharpen their analytical skills. Therefore attendance is imperative. As per AUC policy,
“a student who misses more than the equivalent of three weeks of class meetings during
a semester for any reason may be assigned a reduced grade for the course — including
the grade of “F” — solely on the basis of inadequate attendance, regardless of excuse...
Students are personally responsible for making up any academic tasks and assignments
missed due to their absence.”There are no exceptions to this rule.
Course Format
Students are expected to present a 15-minute presentation pertaining a topic of their
choice based on the course subject matter. A midterm exam will be held in class and
students will be expected to answer two essay questions from a choice presented in the
exam. The same applies to the final exam that will be held on the last day of classes. A
research paper of between 2500 to 3000 words will also be submitted on the last day of
class, the topic of the paper can be derived from your presentation topic or another topic
of your choice.
Grade Distribution
Class Attendance and Participation:
Presentation
Research paper
Midterm Paper
Final Paper
15%
10%
15%
30%
30%
Course Grading:
Please note that the course is based on the following grading system:
A Category (A, A-)
100-90%
B Category (B+, B, B-)
89-80%
C Category (C+, C, C-)
79-70%
D Category
69-60%
F Category
59 and Below
POLS 422 Reading List*
Week 1 (February 5th and February 9th, 2015): Egypt Under Mohamed Ali

A Concise History of the Middle East, Chapter 11: Egypt (161-165) by Arthur
Goldschmit Jr.

Cambridge History of Egypt, Chapter 6:The era of Muhammad'Ali Pasha, 18051848 by Khaled Fahmy

The Role of the Ulama in Egypt During the Early 19th by Afaf Lutfi alSayyid Marsot
Week 2 (February 12th and February 16th, 2015): Egypt Under the British

A Concise History of the Middle East, Chapter 15: Egypt’s Struggle for
Independence by Arthur Goldschmidt Jr.

Cambridge History of Egypt, Chapter 9: The 'Urabi Revolution and the British
Conquest, 1879-1882 by Donald Malcolm

Cambridge History of Egypt, Chapter 1o: The British Occupation 1882-1922 by
M. W. Wally
Week 3 (February 19th and February 23rd, 2015): The Kingdom of Egypt

Cambridge History of Egypt, Chapter 12:The Liberal Age, 1923-1952 by Selma
Botman
Week 4 (February 26th): Midterm
Week 5 (March 2nd and March 5th, 2015): Egypt Under Nasser

Egypt Under Nasser by Johnson, Peter

Nasser and Nasserism by Mansfield, Peter

The Intellectual Origins of Egyptian Nationalism by Jamal Muhammad Ahmad
Week 6 (March 9th and March 12th, 2015): Egypt Under Sadat

Egypt Under Sadat: Elites, Power Structure, and Political Change in a PostPopulist World State by Hinnebusch, Raymond A

Egypt after Nasser by Mansfield, Peter
**Abstract for research paper and presentation topic to be submitted (1-2
paragraphs)
Week 7 (March 16th and March 19th, 2015): Egypt Under Mubarak

The History of Egypt: From Muhammad Ali to Mubarak, by P. J. Vatikiotis (247270)

In the Guise of Democracy, Chapter 1: Patronage in Controlled Democracies by
Maye Kassem

In the Guise of Democracy,Chapter 3: Political Parties by Maye Kassem

Evaluating Egyptian Reform by Dunne, Michele
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace January (2006)

The Internal Stakes of the 2005 Elections: The Struggle for the Influence of
Egypt’s National Democratic Party by Collombier, Virginie
The Middle East Journal (2007)
Week 8 (March 23rd and March 26th, 2015): The Islamists

Egyptian Politics: The Dynamics of Authoritarian Rule Chapter 5: Egypt’s
Islamists from Fundamentalists to “Terrorists” by Maye Kassem

The Muslim Brotherhood: The Organization and Policies of a Global Islamist
MovementChapter 3: The Muslim Brothers in Egypt by Ana Soage and Jorge
Franganillo (2010)

The Metamorphosis of the Egyptian Muslim Brothersby M. El-Ghobashy
Week 9 (March 30th and April 2nd, 2015): The Fall of Mubarak and the Road to January
2011 Revolution

The Ups and Downs of Political Reform in Egypt by Dunne, Michele and
Hamzawy, Amr (2008)

Human Rights Watch Report: Elections in Egypt (2010)

(two readings)
Week 10 (April 16th and April 20th, 2015): 2011 Revolution

Analysis: Egypt Revolution Chips Away at Sadat’s Legacy by Jonathon Wright
(2011)

Egypt’s Uncertain Revolution by Brian Katulis (2011)

(Revolutionary Movements): Muslim Brotherhood, National Association for
Change, Revolutionary Youth Coalition, April 6th Youth Movement, Kifaya, “We
Are All KhaledSaeed” Facebook Page)Carnegie Endowment (2011)

The Brotherhood’s Dilemma by Marc Lynch

The Egyptian Elections: Why the Islamists Wonby Samuel Tadros (2012)
Week 11 (April 23rdand April 27th, 2015): 30th of June Revolution and the fall of the
Islamists

Analysis: Why was Tamarod Sucessful? By Mohamed El-Sayed Abdel Gawad
(2013)

Grading Egypt’s Roadmap Toward Democracy by Nathan J. Brown (2013)

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood by Zachary Laub (2014)

The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s Failures by Dr. Ashraf El-Sherif

Comparing Egypt’s Constitutions by the Carnegie Endowment (2013)
Week 12 and 13 (April 30th and May 4th, 7th, and 11th, 2015) Presentations
Week 14 (May 14th, 2015): Final Remarks (Deadline for submission of research papers)
Final Exam: May 17th, 2015
* Please note that additional readings will be assigned throughout the semester