This course introduces students to the history, politics and culture of the modern Middle East. At a fundamental level, the course aims to facilitate the adoption of an informed, critical approach to the study of the Middle East’s past and present. While there will be much discussion of war, conflict, and political developments, we will also engage with social, cultural and intellectual trends, looking to everyday life and common people in addition to major political events and personas.
Throughout the course, students will debate and 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, we will all critically reflect on our own past and present visions of the Middle East and our role in perpetuating positive and negative ‘images’ of the region and its peoples.