HIST 339(F) Nations and Nationalism: The Middle East and the Balkans*

No idea has had a greater impact on the modern Middle East and the Balkans than nationalism. This seminar will examine the origins and spread of nationalism by using these two regions as case studies. We will follow the introduction of this Western ideology to the area during the nineteenth century, examine the debates about the origins of various "isms" like Arabism, Zionism, and Pan-Slavism, and compare and contrast liberal nationalism with its more populist cousins. Special attention will be paid to the creation of various cults of personality: Ataturk in Turkey, Reza Shah in Iran, Nasser in Egypt, Assad in Syria and Saddam in Iraq. Evaluation will be based on a mini-project, create your own nation, a major project, and an 18- to 25-page paper on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor. Group C

Hour: WATENPAUGH