HIST 255 - Conflict in the Modern Middle East

This course examines the contemporary conflicts and problems of the Middle East and their impact upon world politics, including U.S. foreign policy. It covers the period from the late 18th century to the present and explores the Islamic heritage, the impact of Western imperialism, modernization and the tension between traditionalism and modernity, the rise of Arab nationalism and political revolutionary change, inter-Arab rivalries, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the impact of oil, and the role of the superpowers. Assessment Level(s): ENGL 101 /ENGL 101A , READ 120 . Three hours each week. Formerly HS 214.

3 semester hours

Course Outcomes:
Upon course completion, a student will be able to:

Compare/contrast the religious and cultural foundations underlying political phenomena in the modern Middle East.
Distinguish the essential differences between the Sunni and Shiite sects and point out the political impact of those differences.
Describe and analyze the rise of nationalism and the rejection of the West as a model for political and economic development.
Describe and analyze the advance of Pan-Islamic ideology as an alternative to nationalism and liberalism since 1967.
Appreciate the importance of petroleum and natural gas to the region and to the world.
Analyze the principal problems and conflicts in the region since 1945, most notably the Arab-Israeli dispute, the wars in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan, Lebanon’s long-term instability, Iran’s Islamic revolution and its aftermath, the enduring power of traditionalism in Islamic societies, and the rise of violent Islamist movements and their impact within the region and on the outside world.
Articulate orally and in writing the accomplishments inherent in the above outcomes.
Interpret intelligently the ongoing political and economic developments in the region.

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