Exploration of the origins and development of the struggle for
land between Jews and Palestinians, and how that struggle spread
throughout the Arab Middle East. We will begin by exploring the
growth of Zionism among Russian and European Jews in the
nineteenth century as well as the beginnings of nationalism among
Arabs in Palestine under the Ottoman Empire. From there we will
continue with issues of statehood, nationalism, colonialism and
the continuation of the conflict to today.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: In addition to completing the papers and viewing the films
required of undergraduates, graduate students must complete a
20-page research paper and present their research as a lecture.
Graduate students must also meet individually with the instructor.
Athena Title
The Arab Israeli Conflict
Prerequisite
Any HIST course or ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1101E or ENGL 1101S or ENGL 1102 or ENGL 1102E or ENGL 1102S or POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions through gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how the history of the Arab-Israeli Conflict shaped diverse social and cultural attitudes toward religion and sacred space, race and ethnicity, immigration and expulsion, and ethics and morality, encouraging them to understand diverse worldviews and experiences.
By the end of this course, students will be able to apply appropriate methodological approaches to their analysis of primary sources and to organize their evidence to show historical continuities and discontinuities.
By the end of this course, students will be able to generate their own research question or topic, locate suitable primary and secondary sources, and synthesize their ideas in novel ways.
By the end of this course, students will be able to initiate, manage, complete, and evaluate their independent research projects in stages and to give and receive constructive feedback through the peer review process.
Topical Outline
Introduction
Palestine in the 19th century
World War I and the Mandate Era
Arab Nationalism's Beginnings
Zionism, Palestinian Nationalism, Arab Independence
The Creation of the state of Israel and a new group of refugees
Israel society, Arab nationalism
Israeli politics, pan-Arabism and the Suez Crisis
The June 1967 War
The Wars of the Seventies
Looking at Each Other: Palestinians and Israelis
Peace, and then Lebanon
The Intifadah
The Issues that come with Marriage
Can Peace be Attained? On what grounds?
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Communication
The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
