Taught by

This course introduces Evergreen students to the culture, politics and societies of the Middle East through lectures, video, and person-to-person contact. We will consider the major concerns of the day in the region through historical and geographical lenses. In this critical reading of the Middle East region, we will center questions of power, colonialism, racism, class, gender, and social justice to build a nuanced narrative of geopolitics.

We will look at several case studies, including the Arab Spring and its aftermath in Syria,Yemen, Tunisia, and beyond; power and the politics of water, oil, and energy in the region; the lasting human and ecological impacts of the Israeli occupation of Palestine; and life in post-sanctions Iraq. Students in the course will be introduced to the languages, music, media, and cuisine, exploring the political economy of each of these features. We will also deconstruct Western narratives of religion and violence, and examine multiple explanations for the origins of sectarian conflict.

This course will provide students with a critical eye for understanding the most pressing issues in the region, and the relationship of the United States to these issues. Coursework will include both group work and individual projects as we develop a complex understanding of the issues (mis)represented in mass media and US politics.

This class may count towards the coursework requirement for the MIT social studies endorsement.

Quarters

Summer Open

Location and Schedule

Final Schedule and Room Assignment

• Summer

Campus Location

Olympia

Time Offered

Day

Advertised Schedule