HISTORY 3570-001
WINTER 2016
TITLE:
THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Justin Fantauzzo
FORMAT:
Lectures, Readings, Class Discussions
DESCRIPTION:
The Middle East is a region in crisis. Across Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State
(ISIS) has erased near century-old borders, proclaimed the first Caliphate
since the Ottoman Empire, and has sought to ethnically cleanse the region of
its non-Muslim population. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues
unabated, with no immediate hope for a one-state or two-state solution. The
Islamic Republic of Iran, desperate to modernize, has led itself into conflict
with the West over its nuclear ambitions. And in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen,
the promises of the Arab Spring have yet to materialize.
This course looks at the Middle East from the nineteenth century, a time of
cosmopolitan Ottoman rule, up to and including the twenty-first century, a
time of political fragmentation and bitter ethno-religious conflict. Along the
way this course will cover the legacy of the Ottoman Empire and Ottomanism,
the effects of European involvement in the region, the rise of pan-Arab
nationalism and Zionism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the emergence of
radical Islamist movements such as Hamas.
OFFERED:
Slot 7 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 2:00-2:50 pm)
BOOKS:
James Gelvin, The Modern Middle East: A History (4th Edition)
Karnig Panian, Goodbye, Antoura: A Memoir of the Armenian Genocide
Violette Shamash, Memories of Eden: A Journey through Jewish Baghdad
METHODS OF EVALUATION:
Short Paper #1
Short Paper #2
Film Review
Class Participation
Final Exam
20%
20%
20%
10%
30%