Dr. Ashley Passmore
Dept. of International Studies
Office: Academic 231
Office hours: W 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
e-mail: apassmore@tamu.edu
Texas A&M University
Autumn 2014
M 12:40 AM-1:30 PM
HELD 120
LBAR 181 526 Freshman Critical Thinking Seminar:
The Arab-Israeli Conflict Through Film
The Arab-Israeli conflict, which started in the late 19th century and continues today, occupies the attention of international media and is found
often in academic and policy debates. Yet very few people have studied the situation thoroughly. This course will offer insight into the conflict
from its earliest periods to current events and investigate the interactions between Zionism and the National Arab movements in the region.
We will not confine ourselves to the historical facts and events alone. Rather, we will analyze the entire picture around the conflict and how its
events are framed through film. We will critically examine the myths, the collective memory, and what can be called the "historiophoty" of the
conflict: visual representations found in recent documentary and feature films. We will watch films that will shed light on selected issues, such as
soldiers’ experiences in the Lebanon War, Israeli Arabs, Israeli and Palestinian peace and political activists, security issues, society and more.
Course learning outcomes
* Students will become familiar with basic and important information about the conflict
* Students will recognize the major historical events of Middle East in 20th century.
* Students will be able to critically examine the differences between the Israeli, Arab, American and European cinema industries and how they
represent the conflict.
* Students will be able to describe the relationship between conflict, society, cinema and collective memory
* Students will synthesize the differing perspectives of the conflict through the films we view in seminar discussion and one presentation.
Description of course activity:
Each week, there will be a film to view through online sources, Media Matrix or via Media Reserves in Evans Library and we will spend our
weekly meeting discussing this film.
During our weekly sessions, one student or a group of two students will be the discussion leaders on the film viewed. The discussion leader(s) will
give an 8-10 minute presentation on the film of the week with a visual component (Powerpoint, Prezi, Slideshare, etc) that will be shared with all
students and include 1 discussion point about the visual representation of the conflict in the film being discussed that will begin our conversation
for the day. There will be a sign up sheet at the start of class.
1 At the beginning and the middle of the course, students will write a reflective essay about their opinions about the conflict and how these are
shaped through media. The essays will be posted anonymously on the course blog for fellow students to review. A final essay applies new
knowledge of the Arab Israeli conflict through interpretation of a film.
Assessment:
2 Reflective, in-class writing activities (2): 25% of overall grade – graded for completion
Presentation: 25% of overall grade – graded with a rubric
Final, in-class essay: 25% of overall grade – graded with a rubric
Attendance and Active Discussion Participation: 25% of overall grade – see rubrics on eCampus
Our course is on eCampus. Please visit for announcements, additional tools, and information. http://ecampus.tamu.edu
Academic integrity
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do.” You are expected to be aware of the Aggie Honor Code and the Honor Council
Rules and Procedures: http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor
Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute providing comprehensive civil rights protection for persons
with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides
for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe that you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the
Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, B-118 Cain Hall (phone: 845-1637). For additional information, visit
http://disability.tamu.edu.
Grading Scale
90%-100% (A); 80%-89% (B); 70%-79% (C); 60%-69% (D); 0%-59% (F)
Attendance:
Attendance to course sessions is required. After 1 unexcused absence, your course grade will drop 5% for each additional unexcused day.
Please see http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule7.htm for current policy on university-excused absences. For illness- or injury-related absences of
fewer than three days, a note from a health care professional confirming date and time of visit will be required in order to count the absence as
university-excused; for absences of three days or more, the note must also contain the medical professional’s confirmation that absence from class
was necessary (see Rule 7.1.6.1)
2 Week/ Day
Class discussion
Film to be viewed for this session
Week 1 Sept. 1
Introduction and syllabus
Week 2 Sept. 8
Short, in-class writing activity
(graded for participation)
Where do we get our information and how do images play a role in collective
memory? How do we discuss contested or parallel narratives and viewpoints in a
community setting?
Please bring a laptop to this session
Week 3 Sept. 15
Short film viewing: The
Shelter, Arab Labor, Season 3,
Link TV (Sayed Kashua)
Presenter:
Week 4 Sept. 22
Discussion of The Shelter
Presenter:
Week 5 Sept. 29
Discussion of Gaza/Sderot
Presenter:
Gaza/Sderot: Life Despite Everything (2008) Arte TV. Please view as many of the
videos as possible.
http://gaza-sderot.arte.tv/
Barriers (2010) Ma’ale Films
Week 5 Oct. 6
Discussion of Barriers
Presenter:
http://youtu.be/23ieavgoDbE
The Attack (2013)
Week 6 Oct. 13
Discussion of The Attack
Presenter:
Available on Media Matrix, also on Media Reserves (4th Fl Library Annex)
For My Children (2002)
Available on Media Matrix, also on Media Reserves (4th Fl Library Annex)
Week 7 Oct. 20
Discussion of For My
Children
Presenter:
Discussion of The Lemon
Tree
Available on Media Matrix, also on Media Reserves (4th Fl Library Annex)
We will view in class on Sept. 8 but you may review:
http://www.linktv.org/programs/arab-labor-the-shelter
Lemon Tree (2009)
3 Week/ Day
Class discussion
Film to be viewed for this session
Week 8 Oct. 27
In-class writing activity
Please bring a laptop to this session
Viewing West Bank Story
West Bank Story (2006)
http://youtu.be/mgQfCUNf0no
http://www.westbankstory.com/html/story.html
Waltz with Bashir (2009)
Week 9 Nov. 3
Presenter:
Available on Media Matrix, also on Media Reserves (4th Fl Library Annex)
Week 10 Nov. 10
Discussion of Waltz with
Bashir
Presenter:
Week 11 Nov. 17
Discussion of On the Frontline
Presenter:
Available on Media Matrix, also on Media Reserves (4th Fl Library Annex)
The Bubble (2006)
Week 12 Nov. 24
Discussion of The Bubble
Presenter:
5 Broken Cameras (2013)
Week 13 Dec 1
Discussion of 5 Broken
Cameras
Final in-class essay: choose
one film
On the Frontline (2002)
http://youtu.be/3K-mGWy9iUg
Please bring a laptop to this session.
To Access Mediamatrix:
1. URL -­‐ mediamatrix.tamu.edu
2. Login in (top right of screen)
3. Must use STUDENT/FACULTY/STAFF button (DO NOT USE THE LOCAL ACCOUNT)
4. Streams will be located at the bottom of the screen
4