HIST 215(F) Introduction to the History of the Modern Middle East, 1798-1998*

Starting with Napoleon Bonaparte's brief occupation of Egypt, this course follows the radical transformation of the Middle East during the last two hundred years. Incorporating films, novels, memoirs, primary material and secondary texts, the class will attempt to understand how the Middle East changed from a region dominated by two large empires to one divided into more than a dozen nation-states. The course will trace the growing power of Europeans and European ideas like nationalism and feminism in the area, as well as the impact of oil, the creation of the State of Israel, the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union. We will conclude with a close look at the Iranian Revolution, radical Islam, the Gulf Wars, and the Palestinian-Israeli Peace Process. Evaluation will be based on two book/film reviews, in-class midterm exam, and a take-home final exam. Group C

Hour: WATENPAUGH