Course Descriptions

Semester Course Schedule Long-Term Program Dates Short-Term Program Dates Entrance Requirements Course Descriptions

MECR 5/360 Introduction to the Modern Middle East - Credit Hours: 3

Semester normally offered: Fall

Course Description

A study of key political, cultural, and social aspects of the Middle East from the nineteenth century to the present, addressing topics such as Arab nationalism, Islamic fundamentalism, and Zionism. Special consideration is given to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Course Equivalencies

  • Middle East History and Culture
  • Political Science
  • International Studies
  • Conflict Studies 

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, the student should be able to:

  • identify and describe key events in the Middle East from Napoleon’s conquest to today, including events related to the end of the Ottoman Empire, the role of colonial powers in the region, and the rise and development of Zionism and Arab nationalism;
  • state, compare, and contrast the dominant customs, cultures, religions, and ideas that have shaped the modern Middle East;
  • state, compare, and contrast the successes and failures of each of the major nation states of the Middle East since the end of World War II; and
  • state and evaluate the student's own personal attitudes, convictions, and conclusions regarding the state of the modern Middle East today.

Field Study

In-Residence Only: A half-day interactive field study on the Jerusalem Perimeter: Demographics, rights, responsibilities and access at the boundaries of Jerusalem.