HIST 036 PZ -History of Modern Middle East

Institution: Pitzer

Description: The Modern Middle East is one of the most important regions in today’s world. This course begins with the 18th century Middle East and its increasing encounter with the West. We will study the social and political grounds behind the demise of the Ottoman Empire and its consequences for the future development of the region. After exploring how Western expansion and imperialism affected the domestic development of countries in the region, we transition to the Middle East since World War I, examining the emergence of nationalism and nation-states, the origins and future of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the role of ethnic and religious minorities in political affairs. We then analyze the rise of political Islam, the Middle East since 9/11, and US presence in the region. We will conclude by exploring the recent popular protests in the Arab world and their implications for the fate of the region in the 21st century. Along the way, we ask questions such as these: How did increasing interactions with the West and emerging global trade since the 18th century influence the social and political structures of countries such as Egypt, Turkey, and Iran? Why did nationalism and state formation differ from country to country in the region? And finally, what are the historical and intellectual origins of recent waves of popular uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa?

Prerequisite(s): Please check course schedule for requirements.

For up-to-date information on current course offerings and details, please refer to the Pitzer class schedule on MyCampus2 Portal.