History is vendetta.
Nowhere is this axiom more true than the Middle East in the modern period. While such a climate was not unique to the region, this seminar will explore the general and specific themes and strategies employed by various historians, novelists and filmmakers who have dealt with this period. While examining discrete moments of violence in the region, appropriate parallels will be drawn with South Asia and Ireland at the same time. Students will be required to construct an extensive bibliography on a specific moment, deliver a 20-30 minute seminar paper and direct a discussion on histriographical issues raised by writing on that moment and complete a term paper on the same. Class evaluations will be based upon a midterm essay and a final essay.