Faith, Society, Conflict: The Middle East from Ancient Times to the Arab Spring

Catalog description

From ancient times to the Arab Spring, the Middle East has been at the crossroads of history and religions. We begin with archaeology, looking at myths and rituals of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Syro-Palestine region. After an overview of Judaism and Christianity in their historical contexts, we discuss Muhammad and the rise of Islam, and subsequent Arab and Ottoman Turkish history. An examination of European imperialism and Middle Eastern reform movements leads us to World War One and the Mandate System and religious and secular developments in independent Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia. We will focus on Zionism and Arab nationalism, and the emergence of Israel and its conflict with its Arab neighbors after World War Two. The exploration of the rise of dictatorships in Arab countries, the development of fundamentalism and its relationship to Jihad, the role of women, and American involvement in the area will enhance our understanding of present conflicts. Museum trips, visits to places of worship, and possibly attendance at a play will enrich the course.