GS, SS- This course offers an in-depth examination of the political economy, cultural, and social history of the Middle East and North Africa. It employs a broadly comparative perspective to shed light on some of the more vexing problems shared in common by the various states and societies in the region. The course focuses on such issues as the emergence of competing ideological systems, political culture, and competing world views, problems of economic development and democratization, mass mobilization and social movements, and regional conflict and war. At the end, it is hoped that students will acquire the analytical skills necessary for challenging resilient stereotypes about the region, and for independently making sense of historical and contemporary problems in Middle East and North Africa.
Prerequisites
Placement into ENGL 95 or above.