DEPAUW UNIVERSITY
Government
& Politics
of the Middle East
Political Science 330
Professor Nafhat Nasr
Spring Semester 2004
Office, AH# 221
Wednesday 1:00-3: 50 Office
hours:
Asbury Hall # 110 Th 4:00-5:00
W 11:00-12:00
[Outside my office hours, you are welcome to
arrange with me for an appointment in person or on the telephone (X-4809) but
please do not try to schedule appointments bye- mail, because my experience
shows that it takes several e-mail exchanges to arrange for one appointment.
More often than not, when you drop by for an appointment, I will be able to see
you on the spot if we are both not busy. In case of urgent matters, please feel
free to call me at home 765-653-3732.]
Synopsis: The Middle East is one
of the most strategically important regions in the world, if not the most
important one. It is prominently in the news these days. It is in the public
eye for political, economic, security, religious, and even philosophical
reasons. The American involvement in the life of that region, though relatively
recent, is very deep, pervasive, and dynamic, driven recently by our declared
strategy of creating a "distinctly American internationalism." With a
great deal of controversy, we find ourselves at war there as "peace-makers,
peace-keepers, and peace-builders." We are even engaged in "nation
building," and some say imperial expansion. As a result, a lot is at stake
for us for what we do and what we aspire for. Therefore, as scholars in a
liberal arts context, and as citizens in a democracy, it is imperative that we
engage in a serious and informed discourse about the region and what is
happening there. How do we go about doing that, and what is it that we need to
cover in this discourse?
Students of Middle East politics maintain that such a
discourse, as proposed here, will be meaningful and adequately informed if we
establish a historical background, or if such is already acquired, of at least
the modern Middle East before reflecting on the current scene. The contention
here is that such a background will delineate the roots of most of the issues,
problems, and trends that characterize Middle East society and politics today.
Also, it is safe to assume that studying the contemporary
Middle East, especially after the discovery of oil in that region and the
tragic events of September 11,2001, inevitably
involves a study and assessment of American policy towards the region.
There are three aspects to this course: a historical aspect,
an issue oriented aspect, and reflections on the nature and dynamics of
American policy in the Middle East within these two aspects. Accordingly, the
implementation of the course analytically consists of an interface among the
three aspects depicted above.
Because of the nature of the complexity of the subject
matter and the virtual absence of a theoretical framework for the study of
politics in this region, this course will be offered as a seminar-like course, i.e.,
it will be mostly interactive in nature, involving broad student participation
with limited, but structure-setting, lecturing especially during the first four
or five weeks of the semester.
Format of the course: This course, as
indicated above, is offered as a quasi seminar. It requires quite a bit
of student participation and initiative, but it will not involve the volume of
readings nor assume the knowledge of theory that are
normally associated with a senior seminar. Also, the size and scope of the term
paper, while expected to meet high standards of quality and rigor, it is not
expected to involve the length of time, theoretical grounding, and intensity of
work that a senior project requires. I have offered Political Science 330 in
this format numerous times. It is great fun and involves quite a lot of
learning.
Course Goals: The main goals of this course are to:
1. Develop a broad
understanding of current issues in the Middle East and grasp the nature of
their historical roots.
2. Comprehend and
critically assess the nature and content of American policy towards the Middle
East.
3. Develop interest in
following the daily news of a region that is strategically important for the
USA and the global system at large.
4. Critically follow the
presidential electoral campaign as America's involvement in the Middle East
continues to be a major campaign issue.
Written Work &
Presentations:
There will be no examinations in this course, but students will a) write two 3 to 4-page
essays during the semester based on assigned readings, due at the time
students report in class, and b)
a research-based term paper, due around the end of the semester, as it
suits the class.
The class will be divided into (six) groups of two or more,
depending on the number of students enrolled in the course. Each group will report
orally twice and serve also twice as a discussant-group, during the semester.
When you give oral presentations, you will also submit a type written 3 to
4-page essay on the readings for the class session during which you report. The
reporting group and the discussant group will engage the rest of us in
discourse focused on the readings, or specific issues therein. The instructor
will work with you very closely on the preparation of the presentations and the
essays. Each of these assignments will be centered on specific questions that
will be shared with the whole class bye-mail, and with the two groups
involved in a meeting in my office. I will not be able to read drafts of the
essays before they are submitted, but I will be glad to answer questions you
might have as you prepare your essays after meeting with me.
Term
papers will be prepared according to the following schedule:
a) February 25, written statement of topic and tentative bibliography, due in
class, b) March 10, elaborate written statement of the topic, an outline of the
paper, and an expanded bibliography, and c) the final written text of the paper
due around the end of the semester. Explore your topic carefully before you
submit the February 25th statement, because changing topics after that date
will occur only if you have a convincing reason. These paper-phases are
designed to help you work efficiently and with the least time pressure possible
as you prepare your semester project. Following these steps will take away a
good measure of the stress normally associated with the end of the semester.
Papers will be graded on the bases of structure, lucidity
and scope of content, integrity and consistency of text,
analysis, thoroughness of editing, authenticity, and form (organization
and documentation.) Please, be reminded of the university policy on academic
honesty found in your Student Handbook.
Attendance Policy: Attendance and
participation are in the essence of liberal arts education. This is why regular
attendance is required according to university policy. Because this class meets
only once a week, there will be no free cuts of a weekly session. However, you
are allowed a late arrival or early departure once during the semester.
Attendance is 10% of your semester grade; 5% of your grade will be taken off
for each of two cuts, after which cuts will affect your ability to complete the
course successfully. One university-induced cut is allowed, but not when you
are reporting or serving as discussant.
Grading: The final grade for the
course is based on five components: two presentations (10% each,) two essays
(15% each,) attendance (10 %,) general participation (10 %,) term paper (30 %.)
No incomplete grades will be issued at the end of the semester except for
legitimate and documented reasons. Incomplete (I) grades must be arranged for before the end of the semester and such arrangements has to be approved
by the Registrar's. Please, remember that grades are earned not given, and what you earn depends not only on your native
intelligence, but also on the extent to which you invest time and application
on preparing for the course.
I treat students, as I should, with trust,
compassion, and respect. I want to make your experience in this course as
stimulating and as academically productive as possible. If you invest your
honest best in this course, you will learn a lot and will be rewarded fairly,
based on clear and objective criteria of evaluation. Should you feel, at any
time, that a problem is coming between you and your performance in this course,
see me at your earliest, whatever the problem might be, if you feel that you
can share it with me. Good luck in Political science 330.
Texts:
1. Atlas of the Middle East, (2001,) Hammond,
(strongly recommended)
2. William Cleveland, (2000,) A History of the Modern Middle East, 2nd
edition, Westview.
3. John Esposito, (2003,) Unholy War: Terror in the
Name of Islam, Oxford.
4. Charles Smith,
(2001,) Palestine and the Arab Israeli conflict, 4th edition,
Bedford/St. Martin's.
5. Shibly Telhami,
(2004,) The Stakes: America in the
Middle East, Westview
Recommended Texts:
1. Ian J. Bickerton, et.al.,
(2002,) A Concise History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. 4th
edition
2. Ghassan
Salame, editor, (1994,) Democracy Without Democrats? The Renewal of Politics
in the Muslim World. I. B. Tauris
3. Avi Shlaim,
(1999,) The Iron Wall: Israel and
the Arab World. Norton
In addition, we will be using the New York Times for regular in-class
discussion on world politics in the news. We will be especially covering the
war on Iraq, using media reporting as occasion to analyze the war, its causes,
conduct and implications. You are expected to subscribe for the NYT for the
duration of the
semester, except for the five weekdays of the spring break. The special
subscription charge is $27.60. Please
make your checks to the order of The Bloomington News Service.
Also, I will be showing a few documentaries at times to be
announced later in the semester.
SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS
[This schedule of assignments &
topics might be slightly amended or revised later on]
I. OVERVIEW AND STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE [February 4]
II. MODERN POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE
MIDDLE EAST [based on William L.
Cleveland, A History
of The Modern Middle East second edition] [February 11,
18, 25, & March 3, 10]
Some of the following portions of this section of the course
will be elaborated on in sections that follow this one (II)
1. Egypt, Iran, & Turkey
in the late 19'h Century, and the response of Islamic society [February 11]
•Cleveland, ch. 6, 7, 8, 9
2. The
struggle for independence: The interwar era through WWII
[February 18]
• Cleveland, Introduction to PART III, and ch. 10, 11, 12, 13
3. The independent M. E. from the end of WWII
to the 1970s [February 25]
• Cleveland, Introduction
to PART IV, and ch. 14, 15, 16, 17
4. A
time of disorder and renewal: The M. E. from the 70s to the 90s [March
3, 10]
•
Cleveland,
Introduction to PART IV, and ch. 22, 23, 18,
19,20,21,24
III. FOCUS ON PALESTINE
& THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT [based
on
Charles D. Smith, Palestine & The
Arab-Israeli Conflict, 4th edition] [March, 17, 31, & April 7]
You are strongly urged to consult William Quandt's Peace Process, 2nd
edition, and Ian Bickerton's
(et.al,) A Concise History of The
Arab-Israeli Conflict, 4th edition
1. Historical
roots of the gathering storm [March 17]
• Smith, ch. 1, 2, 3, 4
2. WWII & the creation of
the state of Israel & beginnings of the A/I conflict [March 31]
•
Smith, ch. 5, 6, 7, 8
3. The conflict continues to broaden and deepen, and the Peace process
takes off? [April 7]
•
Smith, ch. 9, 10, 11
IV. A BOILIN REG ION
RETREATS TO FUNDAMENTALISM AND TERROR IN THE NAME OF RELIGION: Three
fundamentalisms at war (The class will cover all three, but focus on one of them)
[April 14, 21]
•
John
Esposito, Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Is lam
V. IN THIS MADNESS OF
WHICH WE ARE PART, WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR THE UNITED STATES? [April 28, March 5]
•
Shibley Telhami,
The Stakes: America In The Middle East
VI. CONCLUSION OF THE COURSE [May 12]