HIST 2880 - History of the Modern Middle East

(3) Credit Hours

The Middle East is one of the most important and complex areas of the world, and the region’s events and affairs have always been of international significance. This course will examine the modern history of the Middle East and will explore the sources of its complexity and world-historical importance. After introducing the pre-modern history of the region and the rise of Islam, we will examine the major events and developments that have shaped the modern Middle East, including politics and reform in the Ottoman Empire in the face of growing penetration by outside powers; World War I, the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, and the formation of new Middle Eastern states; World War II and the Cold War in the Middle East; the Arab-Israel conflict; and the Iranian Revolution. We will conclude by examining more recent events in historical perspective, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the Arab Spring.Approximately every 4 semesters. Pre or Corequisites: ENGL 1010, or ENGL 1011, or ENGL 1020, or HIST 2100, or UHON 1010, or department head approval.