Pheroze Unwalla
This course introduces students to the history, politics, and cultures of the ‘modern’ Middle East, facilitating the adoption of an informed, critical approach to the region’s past and present. Significantly, however, the course is guided by two crucial interrelated objectives: First, we will examine the idea of the modern Middle East, grappling with complexities and nuances obscured by the dichotomization of ‘modern’ and ‘traditional’ and exposing the tensions produced by ‘modernity.’ Second, students will interrogate popular historical and contemporary representations of the region and its populations. We will seek to understand the impact of these representations in spurring conflict, colonial endeavors, resistance, and false dichotomies between ‘us’ and ‘them.’ On this last note, and in a very personal way, we will all critically reflect on our own past and present visions of the Middle East and our role in perpetuating certain images and stereotypes of the region, its histories and peoples.