This seminar studies international conflict and cooperation in the Middle East, including the role of the United States and other powers, economic liberalization, Arab nationalism, Zionism, the politics of oil, Islamic movements, terrorism, the Israeli-Arab conflict, and the legacy of Gulf War. Students are expected to have completed all the readings by class time of the dates assigned and prepare for discussion. In additions, students are to write short summaries, approximating one page to one page and a half, summarizing what they learned from the readings. These will be due at the start of class.
Attendance is required for each session.
There will be a prelim based on the readings and classes during the second half of class on April 15. Students are also expected to participate in the Model Arab League in Berkeley on the weekend of April 23-25 where we will be representing the countries of United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Yemen. Any student unable to be available for that weekend should make arrangements with the instructor at the beginning of the semester. A rough draft of the paper will be made available to the professor and a student respondent by noon the previous Tuesday. Each student will have a turn as a respondent.