FALL 2016

GS1181 Introduction to the Middle East

AEF Department Fall 2016

Faculty/Instructor Information

Instructor: Dr. Jamal G. Husein (email: jamal.husein@angelo.edu) Office Location: RAS 252 Work Phone: 325-486-6457

Course Description: This course surveys the modern history of the Middle-East from the fall of the Ottoman umpire to the recent events or what has been called the Arab Spring. Students will be introduced to the basic aspects of the economic, political, social, cultural and religious dimensions of Islamic and Arab civilization. The course will briefly discuss the emergence of Sunni and Shia Islamic identities. We will also examine colonization of the Middle East, the rise of nation-states, the enduring Arab-Israeli conflict, and the history of US foreign policy in shaping the modern Middle East. Course Objective: By the end of this course students shall have a basic understanding of:

• Political History of the Middle East; • Arab – Israeli Conflicts; • Revolution and democratic transition in the Middle East.

Prerequisites: NA.

Class Meeting Times: Class meets on Tuesdays & Thursdays (T R) 8:00AM – 8:50 RAS 103. This is an 8 week course, 1 credit hour course.

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Technology: Must be able to retrieve materials from Blackboard and should also have a basic understanding of what a discussion forum is.

Technical Support: The Technology Service Center (TSC) may be contacted by calling (325) 942-2911 or 1-866-942-2911 or by email at helpdesk@angelo.edu

Classroom Philosophy (COMMON COURTESY): To keep both the students and the professor focused on the material, the use of chewing tobacco, pagers, text messaging, Tablets, laptops and cellular phones are NOT ALLOWED in class. Place these items in your backpacks. Please refrain from engaging in personal conversations once class has started. It is rude to me and to your peers when you persist to converse with friends during class. Be courteous to your peers when they are responding in class by listening to what they have to say. Laptops may be used in class as long as you use them for purposes related to this class and provided such use does not distract you or other students from the discussion or activities. If you improperly use your laptop in class, you will be marked absent for the day and lose this privilege for the remainder of the semester.

Core Student Learning Outcomes By the end of this course students shall have a basic understanding of:

• Gather, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information relevant to a question or issue (CT1);

• Develop, interpret, and express ideas through effective written communication (CS1); • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate choices, actions and consequences as related to ethical

decision-making (PR1);

Method of Assessing Learning Outcomes Core student learning outcomes will be assessed by direct and indirect class participation and attendance, two written short assignments/reports, one final exam and short videos/quizzes via the library.

OPTIONAL Textbook

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Mehran Kamrava. THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST. University of California Press 2013 ISBN: 978-0-520-27781-6 ISBN: 978-0-520-95685-8 (ebook) Texts are available for purchase at the University bookstore.

Office Hours: M W: 10:00am – 1:00pm. Other times by appointment.

E-mail and Communication: Always include subject and state which class and section you are in (instructors teach many classes/sections), title or name of the person you are writing to, content, and your name. The instructor will not respond to emails that are not written in proper manners. I will respond within 12 hours of receiving your email.

Course Guidelines:

It is expected that you have read the course material prior to the week’s lectures. Please note that lectures will not repeat the readings, but rather complement them. Exams will be based on readings and lectures. If you miss a class, it is recommended that you borrow notes from a fellow student.

Course Evaluation: Attendance and Participation 30% Information Literacy 20% One written short report/assignment 20% University Involvement 10% Take-home Final Exam 20%

Attendance and Participation in Discussion Sessions (30%):

This grade is based on attendance, participation in discussion sessions, paying attention to your colleagues who are speaking and general discussion manner. It is important for everyone to understand the ground rules for conduct and dialogue. To encourage the broadest range of viewpoints and encourage open, honest discussion, always treat your classmates with respect. Attendance will be taken in each class. Any class missed (unless it is a documented emergency) will reduce your ability to earn participation and attendance points. You will be rewarded for both physical and intellectual (i.e., participation) attendance of the class. There is no make-up for a missed final exam (unless it is a documented emergency). To ensure a

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quality learning experience for you and for your classmates, it is important to come prepared to class. This means reading assigned material. Information Literacy (Critical Thinking) Videos/Quizzes (20%): Videos and quiz questions are included in the Blackboard Information Literacy Course in order to assess student-learning outcome, CT1. These are a collection of short videos and should take no more than 45 minutes in total for students to view and to complete the associated quizzes. Students can take the quizzes (and watch the videos) as often as they want until they receive full credit on each quiz. You have until October 13 to complete these videos/quizzes.

45 minutes of total viewing for the 8 videos (31 minutes of videos, about 14 minutes of assessments):

• Keywords and Synonyms video (4 minutes)

• Searching with Subjects video (5 minutes)

• Boolean & Truncation video (3 minutes)

• 360 Link and Interlibrary Loan video (3 minutes)

• Information and Critical Thinking video (8 minutes)

• Plagiarism video (4 minutes)

• Basics of Citation video (4 minutes)

• Students complete a short assessment for each video

Library Online Information Literacy Directions

Acessing/using the online information literacy tutorial.

1. When students log in to Blackboard, they can see the My Courses area. They will then click on link for the current semester, i.e. 16 Fall Information Literacy to gain access to the tutorials/videos and quizzes..

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2. Upon doing so they will see the screen below. They can choose a video to watch from the left margin.

3. Having made a choice, they can then watch the video by clicking on one of the Play buttons. After having watched the video, they will then open up the Quiz by clicking the Mark Reviewed button indicated in the image below.

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4. They will then click on the Quiz link

5. The first question will be displayed, with prompts to the remaining questions. Completing the quiz and proceeding on will hopefully be self-evident from here.

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Written Short Report (20%): This is a short written assignment/report (two-page papers). Few topics will be provided by the instructor. Each student can choose a topic from the provided list to explore and research or choose a topic outside the suggested list after being approved by the instructor. Report is due by September 15 in class.

Final Exam (20%):

The Final Exam for this class is a take-home exam given out during last week of classes and will be due to me on 10/20/2016 by 2:00PM. If you are unable to take an exam for a valid reason, recognized by the university, such as illness or death in the family, a makeup exam will be scheduled. You will be required to produce documentary evidence to substantiate your claim. Any other excuse must be approved by telephone in advance. If no advance approval is given, there will be no make-up. The final exam is worth 20% of your final grade.

University Involvement (10%): University involvement component for GS 1181 is intended to help you feel connected to campus life. I’ve listed few activates that will take place on campus (This list may be updated with more events during the 8 week class). The list includes sporting events, lectureships, and a few other events of note. Ideally, I would like to engage you in a university event that connects you to the Middle-East, unfortunately none is available. You are required to attend ONE of the listed activities and DOCUMENT to me that you did so to receive credit points (documentation of your attendance will depend on the activity of your choice). Sept. 11: Soccer vs. New Mexico Highlands University at 12:00 Sept. 15: Great War Lecture Series: “The Sharp End: The Front Link Soldier on the Western Front in the Great War” at the CJ Davidson Center (7:00-8:30)-- http://www.angelo.edu/events/calendar.php#event_id/35647/view/event Sept. 16: Volleyball (Junell Center) at 7:00 Sept. 17: Volleyball (Junell Center) at 2:00

Sept. 21: Soccer vs. UTPB at 7:00 Sept. 23: Soccer vs. MSU at 7:00

Sept. 24: Ram Jam—3:30 at the Alumni Center Sept. 24: Football at LeGrand Stadium at 6:00.

Oct. 1: Volleyball (Junell Center) at 2:00 10-4: San Angelo Internship and Volunteerism Fair (UC) 11:00-1:00-- http://www.angelo.edu/events/calendar.php#event_id/16688/view/event

Oct. 8: Ram Jam (Alumni Center) 3:30

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Oct. 8: Football LeGrand Stadium 6:00

Oct. 17: Holland Symposium Opening Keynote at 2:00 Oct. 17: Holland Symposium Discussion and Questions at 7:30

Holland Speaker: Dr. John McWhorter “Words on the Move: Why English Won’t—and Can’t—Sit Still (Like, Literally)”—Dr. McWhorter TED Talk @ https://www.ted.com/talks/john_mcwhorter_txtng_is_killing_language_jk?language=en

Final Course Grade Determination: Your course grade will represent a total of the following, minus any penalties incurred by excessive absences and/or tardiness.

Assignments Percentage Classroom Participation. In-Class Activities/ Attendance

20%

Information Literacy 1 Short Written Report

20% 30%

Take-home Final Exam University Involvement

20% 10%

TOTAL

100%

Grade Percentage A 90% or above B 80—89% C 70—79% D 60—69% F Below 60%

Tentative Lecture Outline and Schedule:

Lesson 1: 8/29 – 9/15 ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY AEF JHUSEIN 8

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The Middle East – An Introduction Lecture Topic: - Who, what, where, and why study the Middle East? - WWI and its aftermath on the Middle East. - Fall of the Ottoman Empire Lesson 2: 9/16 – 10/13 - European Colonialism in the Middle East - Arab-Israeli Conflict: Balfour Declaration, Sykes-Picot Agreement, Carving the Middle East

Lesson 3: 10/14 – 10/20 - Emerging Regional Order of Arab States - Arab Spring/Awakening and its aftermath

Course Policies

Academic Honesty and Integrity Angelo State University expects its students to maintain complete honesty and integrity in their academic pursuits. Students are responsible for understanding and complying with the university Academic Honor Code and the ASU Student Handbook. Angelo State University expects its students to maintain complete honesty and integrity in their academic pursuits. Students are responsible for understanding the Academic Honor Code, which is contained in both print and web versions of the Student Handbook. It is the professor’s intention to be as fair and impartial as is humanly possible. Therefore, all students will be asked to adhere to the same set of guidelines and rules UNLESS there are disabilities or documented extenuating circumstances that have been discussed with the professor and the Student Life Office. Please make sure you inform the professor as soon as any situation arises. Do NOT wait until the problem is compounded by poor class performance, poor attendance, etc. Academic integrity is expected. This includes, but is not limited to, any form of cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized sharing of work, or unauthorized possession of course materials. The professor assumes that all students can be trusted. Please do not violate this trust. Violation of academic integrity will result in a failing grade for the course.

Courtesy and Respect Courtesy and Respect are essential ingredients to this course. We respect each other's opinions and respect their point of view at all times while in our class sessions. The use of profanity &

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harassment of any form is strictly prohibited (Zero Tolerance), as are those remarks concerning one's ethnicity, life style, race (ethnicity), religion, etc., violations of these rules will result in immediate dismissal from the course.

Accommodations for Disability As stated in the Angelo State University Operating Policy and Procedure (OP 10.15 Providing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities), the Student Life Office is the designated campus department charged with the responsibility of reviewing and authorizing requests for reasonable accommodations based on a disability, and it is the student's responsibility to initiate such a request by contacting the Student Life Office at (325) 942-2191 or (325) 942-2126 (TDD/FAX) or by e-mail at Student.Life@angelo.edu to begin the process. The Student Life Office will establish the particular documentation requirements necessary for the various types of disabilities.

Student absence for religious holidays As stated in the Angelo State University Operating Policy and Procedure (OP 10.19 Student Absence for Observance of Religious Holy Day), a student who intends to observe a religious holiday should make that intention known in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence.

Course Drop To view information about how to drop this course or to calculate important dates relevant to dropping this course, you can visit http://www.angelo.edu/services/registrars_office/course_drop_provisions.php.

Incomplete as a Course grade As stated in the Angelo State University Operating Policy and Procedure (OP 10.11 Grading Procedures), the grade I is given when the student is unable to complete the course because of illness or personal misfortune. An I that is not removed before the end of the next long semester automatically becomes an F. A graduate student will be allowed one year to remove a grade of I before it automatically becomes an F. To graduate from ASU, a student must complete all I’s.

Grade Appeal Process As stated in the Angelo State University Operating Policy and Procedure (OP 10.03 Student Grade Grievances), a student who believes that he or she has not been held to appropriate academic standards as outlined in the class syllabus, equitable evaluation procedures, or

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appropriate grading, may appeal the final grade given in the course. The burden of proof is upon the student to demonstrate the appropriateness of the appeal. A student with a complaint about a grade is encouraged to first discuss the matter with the instructor. For complete details, including the responsibilities of the parties involved in the process and the number of days allowed for completing the steps in the process, see Operating Procedure 10.03 at: http://www.angelo.edu/content/files/14196-op-1003-grade-grievance.

College of Business Code of Ethics Students, faculty, administrators and professional staff of the College of Business should always: • Be forthright and truthful in dealings with all stakeholders • Take responsibility for one’s actions and decisions • Serve as an example of ethical decision-making and behavior to others • Admit errors when they occur, without trying to conceal them • Respect the basic dignity of others by treating them as one would wish to be treated

☺Good luck ☺ ☺Good luck ☺

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Recommended Movies

• Lawrence of Arabia: Stunning in scope, visually magnificent, and filled with compelling performances, David Lean's epic masterpiece is one of the great achievements in cinematic history. Peter O'Toole stars as T.E. Lawrence, a British officer who is sent to Arabia in 1917, and becomes a heroic leader in the Arab rebellion against the Turks. As he grows more integrated into Arab society, his loyalties become conflicted. Omar Sharif, Alec Guinness and Anthony Quinn co-star in this sweeping historical action-adventure classic.

• Lion of the Desert: is a 1981 Libyan historical action film starring Anthony Quinn as Libyan tribal leader Omar Mukhtar, a Bedouin leader fighting the Italian army in the years leading up to World War II and Oliver Reed as Italian General Rodolfo Graziani, who attempted to defeat Mukhtar. It was directed by Moustapha Akkad and funded by the government under Muammar Gaddafi.

• Mohammad, Messenger of God: is a 1976 film and Quranic epic directed by Moustapha Akkad chronicling the life and times of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. Released in both Arabic and English, Mohammad, Messenger of God serves as an introduction to early Islamic history.

• Kingdom of Heaven: The story is set during the Crusades of the 12th century.

A French village blacksmith goes to aid the Kingdom of Jerusalem in its defense against the Ayyubid Muslim sultan Salahuddin, who is battling to reclaim the city from the Christians leading to the Battle of Hattin. The film script is a heavily fictionalized portrayal of the life of Balian of Ibelin (ca. 1143–93). Filming took place in Ouarzazate, Morocco, where Scott had previously filmed Gladiator and Black Hawk Down. Filming also took place in Spain, at the Loarre Castle (Huesca), Segovia, Ávila, Palma del Río and Casa de Pilatos in Sevilla.

• Waltz with Bashir: is a 2008 Israeli animated documentary film written and

directed by Ari Folman. It depicts Folman in search of his lost memories of his experience as a soldier in the 1982 Lebanon War.

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