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Middle East Since 1914
HST 697
M 5:30 p.m. – 8:20 p.m.
STRO 400

Dr. Bethany Walker Office hours: M, W: 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Missouri State University
Department of History
Office: STRO 429 E-mail: bethanywalker@missouristate.edu
Phone: 836-5099 Webpage: http://clio.missouristate.edu/bwalker/
Fax: 836- 5523

Course description and requirements:

In this course we will examine the political, economic, social, and intellectual trends of the nineteenth
and twentieth centuries which have contributed to the formation of the modern Middle East. Beginning
with Ottoman attempts at reform (Tanzimat), lectures and readings will address the most important steps
towards political and economic autonomy: the establishment of the Mandates, the rise of Arab
nationalism, the debate over Arab union, the formation of the modern political states, the Arab-Israeli
conflict, the oil wars, the politics of water, modernism and political Islam, the origins and development of
feminism in the Middle East, and the Arab Spring. The foreign policies of the western powers will be
addressed, as far as they have directly impacted the region. Special emphasis will be placed on the
complexities and development of conflict in the Arab world, as well as local and international efforts at
conflict resolution and current events. Written assignments and exams are geared to develop skills in
thinking diplomatically and assessing news and current events critically and analytically. Readings, slide
presentations, documentaries, and video clips will supplement class lectures and discussions.

The class meets one evening a week, two hours and 50 minutes each session. Grades are based on a
midterm (given in class on March 4), a university-scheduled non-cumulative final exam administered on-
line during finals week, two written assignments on the weekly readings (assigned one week in advance),
and a research paper.

Grades for all assignments total 100 points and break down in this fashion:

Midterm 30 points
Final 30 points
Homeworks (2) 20 points
Research paper 20 points

Final grades are calculated as follows:

100-93 = A 89-87 = B+ 79-77 = C+ 69-67 = D+
92-90 = A- 86-83 = B 76-73 = C 66-60 = D
82-82 = B- 72-70 = C-

*Note: Consistent with university regulations, there are no A+ or D- grades.
For university guidelines on the quality of work that warrants each grade, see the registrar website
(www.missouristate.edu/registrar/grades.html).
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Readings

All readings listed in the syllabus are required. The following can be purchased in the university
bookstore:

1. William Cleveland and Martin Bunton – The Modern Middle East: A History of the Modern Middle
East - 2008

2. John Esposito - The Islamic Threat - Myth or Reality? - 1999

3. Hoda Shaarawi - Harem Years: The Memoirs of an Egyptian Feminist (1879-1924) - 1987

4. Paul McCaffrey – The Arab Spring – 2012

The remaining readings are provided for you in electronic form on the course Blackboard site.

Class guidelines

1. Attendance

I will generally not keep attendance for this course. However, exams will be based as much on class
lectures as on readings. It is, therefore, to your benefit to attend all classes. (On class participation, see
below.)

2. Research paper and presentation

Each graduate student is required to write a research paper on a topic related to materials covered in
lectures. A list of possible topics on Blackboard site appears at the end of this syllabus; you may choose a
topic not listed with my advance permission. On April 15 you will submit a 10-page paper (font size 11,
double-spaced, word-processed, margins as in this syllabus; bibliography and footnotes or endnotes - any
standard format; spell- and grammar-check please). At least five major works must be consulted for this
paper (that means books and key articles and does not include Internet resources). The paper must
address the problems posed in the attached sheet. Please see me within the first three weeks of classes
to discuss your paper topic.

You may use the Internet to supplement your bibliography. There is quality, up-to-date information
available on topics like local responses to water shortages, family planning, etc. However, you must cite
the author, web address, and date the Internet article was written, as you would any source, in a
footnote/endnote and bibliography. Failure to do so constitutes plagiarism and will result in a “0” grade
for your paper.

4. Weekly readings and homeworks

You are expected to keep up with the weekly assigned readings from the required readings. To help pace
this work, I will assign a written assignment consisting of 3 - 5 questions on both the textbook readings
and from the news from that week, which will be distributed twice over the course of the semester.
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5. Midterm exam

You will take a midterm exam in class on March 4. It will consist of a combination of terms, brief essays,
and questions based on readings and films. A study guide will be posted a week in advance on
Blackboard.

6. Final exam

Your final is non-cumulative and will be given on-line at the course Blackboard site. It will be an essay
format, and you will have all finals week to write it (and submit on-line). Please note the following:

7. Plagiarism and cheating (from Provost’s website):

“Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who
accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing
and following the university’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures,
available at www.missouristate.edu/assets/provost/AcademicIntegrityPolicyRev-1-08.pdf and also
available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any form of academic
dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy.”

If you plagiarize, you will fail that assignment. If you cheat on an exam, you will fail that exam.

8. Late submission of assignments and missed exams

I will not accept a late assignment; a missed exam will result in failure of that exam. However, I
realize that we all get sick and that emergencies do occur. If you are ill, you will need to bring me a
doctor’s excuse. (If you are sick enough to miss an assignment or exam, you are sick enough to go to the
doctor.) If there is an emergency (a real emergency), you must speak with me immediately. I will
determine if an emergency exists.

9. Classroom etiquette and class participation

Consider this class a job – act professionally, come to class prepared, do your best, and think with an
open and curious mind. Turn off cell phones, do not chat with classmates during lecture, do not leave
class early or in the middle of class unless you ask me in advance or unless you are ill, do not read
newspapers or extra-class material (during lectures, presentations, or films). Treat your classmates and
professor with respect. Poor classroom etiquette will result in a deduction of points from your
participation grade. There is a no-tolerance policy in this class regarding text-messaging and surfing the
internet – you can lose up to half of a letter grade for interrupting class in this fashion.

As for e-mails, I respond to your messages as soon as I can. This is a good way to reach me. However, I
expect proper e-mail etiquette, as well, which means you address me as “Professor” or “Dr.”, ask
questions and requests (instead of demanding), and sign your name. Please DO NOT email papers and
drafts. Come to my office with hard copies to discuss drafts - this is a more effective way of improving
writing.

Class participation: While this course is heavily lecture and documentary-driven, there will be sufficient
time allotted for discussion and debate of difficult and complicated issues. You should do the weekly
readings before coming to class and actively participate in these group discussions, as well as Q&A.
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Some classroom discussion will be tabled to the Blackboard Discussion Board, where we will continue
debates and address issues raised by the three video clips available to you on the Blackboard site (under
the “assignments” tab). See lecture schedule below on dates when discussion on these video clips will be
available.

Regarding class discussions: the topics covered in this course inevitably lead to heated debate and can
arouse intense emotions and convictions. The course is meant to give you a background on current
situations and to encourage you to think about problem-solving. You are all encouraged to express your
opinions and vocalize your insights. However, please participate in class discussions maturely. The use of
the classroom for one’s personal “soapbox” will not be tolerated.

10. General department and university policies

For common policies regarding academic dishonesty, cell phone usage in classrooms, dropping a class,
non-discrimination, disability accommodation, and emergency response, follow this link:
http://www.missouristate.edu/policy/default.htm.

11. I will not receive assignments by email.

Lecture schedule (by weeks)

I: Jan. 14 - Middle East from the Rise of Islam to the Ottoman Empire

On-line: Familiarize yourself with the Blackboard site and the syllabus; be able to answer
questions on the BB site about course structure and this week’s readings

Readings: Cleveland and Bunton: Part One (chs. 1-3 – pp. 1-56)

II. Jan. 21 – The Near East in the 19th Century – a period of transition (focus on women’s lives)

NO CLASSES: Martin Luther King Day

On-line: Blackboard discussion of Shaarawi’s text

Readings: Shaarawi (in its entirety)

III: Jan. 28 – The Near East in the 19th Century – Ottoman decline

Lectures: The Middle East in the 19th Century; The “Eastern Question”

Readings: Cleveland and Bunton: chs. 4 and 5 (pp. 57-102)

IV: Feb. 4 – The Western Powers and the Middle East in the 19th Century

On-line: Blackboard role-playing on international diplomacy of the period

Readings: TBA

V: Feb. 11 – The Long 19th Century – the era of reform and constitutionalism

Lectures: Ottoman Tanzimat; Hamidian despotism and the Young Turks
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Readings: Cleveland and Bunton: chs. 6-8 (pp. 103-148)

VI: Feb. 18 – President’s Day (no class this evening) – class moved to Feb. 20!! – The Arab World in
WWI

Lecture: WWI and the Arab revolt

Class discussion: War-time diplomacy and the creation of the Mandates

Readings: Cleveland and Bunton, ch. 9 (pp. 149-170) and electronic readings on the creation of
the Mandates

VII: Feb. 25 – The Interwar Era

Lecture: The Mandates; nationalistic movements of the 1930s and 1940s; review for midterm

Readings: Cleveland and Bunton: ch.10 (pp. 171-192)

VIII: March 4 – The Arab World and WWII

MIDTERM!!

Readings: Cleveland and Bunton: chs. 11-12 (pp. 193-238)

Lectures: 1940’s - the western powers and Arab Union; Roots of Egyptian nationalism

IX: March 11 – SPRING BREAK (no classes, no assignments)

X: March 18 – Egyptian socialism

On-line: Watch the film “Nasser ‘56” on Blackboard and participate in the Discussion Board
debates.

Readings: Cleveland and Bunton: chs. 14-17 (pp. 273-344)

XI: March 25 – The Impact of Nasserism

Primary source essay due!!

Lectures: independent Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq

Readings: Cleveland and Bunton: chs. 18-19 (pp. 369-422)
On-line assignment: Watch “Egypt under Sadat” at home (on BB).

XII: April 1 – Arab-Israeli Conflict, I

Lectures: Modern Palestine; Independent Lebanon

Readings: Cleveland and Bunton: chs. 17 and 22 (pp. 345-368, 473-498)
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XIII: April 8 – Arab-Israeli Conflict, II

Lectures: Israel; History of Conflicts and the Peace Initiatives

Readings: Cleveland and Bunton: chs. 13, 23

DOCUMENTARY: “Shattered Dreams of Peace: The Road From Oslo”

XIV: April 15 – The “Oil Wars”

RESEARCH PAPERS DUE!!

Lectures: The Business of Oil; Modern Iran; The Gulf Wars

Readings: Cleveland and Bunton: chs. 20 and 21 (pp. 423-472)

On-line assignment: Watch the video clips “Iran Under the Shah” and “The Iranian Revolution”
on Blackboard at home.

XV: April 22 - Political Islam

Lectures: Islamic revival, reform, and political Islam

Readings: Esposito (in its entirety)

DOCUMENTARY: Islamic Conversations – Islam and War (on Hizbollah)

XVI: April 29 – The Arab Spring, I

Lectures: Understanding the Arab Spring; group discussion

Readings: McCaffrey (first half of the book)

Review for final exam!

XVII: May 6 – The Arab Spring, II

On-line: multi-media exercises on the internet (links available on course Blackboard site)

Readings: McCaffrey (finish the book)

Possible Research Paper Topics

WWI and the Mandates

Topics: a) European alliances with Arabs and Turks during the World Wars (Choose one
European country.)

1. What were the objectives of this alliance? Who (what political parties)
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pushed for it?
2. How would each side benefit?
3. How effective was the alliance?
4. What were the long-term results?

b) European colonies in the Middle East, 19th and 20th centuries (Choose one
European nationality in one Middle Eastern country.)

1. When did the colonists first arrive? When and under what
circumstances did they leave?
2. What was the purpose of their being there? (How did the existence of
the colony fit into their home country’s foreign policy?)
3. Describe their lifestyle.
4. Were there any long-term effects of these colonies locally?

Rise of Arab Nationalism

Topics: a) Biography of a nationalist leader (Arab, Israeli, Turkish, Kurdish, or Iranian)

1. Under what political, economic, and social conditions did s/he begin
their campaigns?
2. What was his/her message?
3. Assess his/her effectiveness.
4. In what ways did s/he help to define national image?

Arab Union and WWII

Topics: a) Pan-Arab movements of the 30’s and 40’s (Choose one movement.)

1. Who was the leader? Who were the followers?
2. Why was the movement created?
3. What was its relationship with the local government and with western
powers?
4. What were its origins? What were its legacies?

Egypt, Iraq, Israel

Topics: a) “Cult of personality” (Choose one head of state or political leader, such as
Nasser, Hussein, Qaddafi, Sharon, Peres, or Meir.)

1. Explain his/her rise to power.
2. Who supported him/her?
3. Explain his/her mass appeal. What did s/he promise?
4. How did s/he change the destiny of the country?

b) Arab socialism (Choose one country, for example Egypt or Libya.)

1. What did “socialism” mean in this country?
2. Who was its leader?
3. Did it last?
4. In what ways did it effect the country’s economy, social structure, and
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international position?

Jordan and Palestine, Israel, Arab-Israeli conflict, and Lebanon

Topics: a) Literary and art analysis (Choose one Arab or Israeli feminist, Sufi, or
nationalist writer; a famous muezzin or qari’; a singer or artist; or an art
style - such as Islamic revivalist, neo-colonial, modern, or traditional)

1. Under what social, political, and economic conditions did this artist/
writer/singer/art style emerge?
2. What was the message of his/her work or the art style?
3. With whom was the work/style popular and why?
4. Assess the impact of his/her work or the art style?

b) Conflict resolution (Choose one problem affecting many Middle Eastern
states, such as Palestinian refugees; the status of Palestine; poverty; water
resources; overpopulation and housing; “fundamentalism”, secularism, and
“cultural imperialism”)

1. What are the origins of the problem?
2. Briefly review the history of local and international initiatives.
3. Give your prognosis for the future.
4. Offer ideas for solutions.

The Politics of Oil, The Politics of Water

Topics: a) Economic development and social change (Choose one country or compare
two or more)

1. What is the history of relations with Europe and with other Middle
Eastern countries?
2. How has economic development effected social change?
3. What is the current status of the resource? What are the current
policies towards its preservation/manipulation/control?
4. What is your prognosis for the future of this resource in this country?

Arab Spring

Topics: a) an in-depth study of the processes of the protests and/or revolution in one particular
Arab country and prognosis for the future.

b) study of the impact of the revolutions on local minorities

c) a media-style study of the language used locally to describe or promote revolution (a
good topic if you have some Arabic training)

d) a study of new media and its role in the revolutions (This cannot be a superficial
analysis – extensive study of blogs, secondary literature, and scholarship on the
development of the internet and alternative media needed for this topic.)

Miscellaneous
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