HI/POL 446 - History and Politics of the Middle East
CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY OF HONOLULU
WILLIS H A MOORE, M Ed, Instructor
willis.moore@adjunct.chaminade.edu & profwillishamoore@gmail.com 
Telephone: 521-7779
“Office Hours” are best before class or, by request

Spring AEOP 2009

SYLLABUS:
TEXT is REQUIRED: THE MIDDLE EAST - - 10th Edition
NOTE: This is not a “traditional textbook.”  It is more like a “briefing book” from DOD or DOS.
Never the less it contains information vital to this course, must be purchased and read!!!
MAP OF THE MIDDLE EAST: Instructor will provide for small cost.
“BOOK” OF READINGS: Instructor will provide 50-100 pages of articles pertinent to this course.   It costs $5 to cover copying costs.

EARNING YOUR GRADE:
Class attendance and participation                                                                                up to 10 points
BIOGRAPHY ESSAY (details from instructor)                                                              up to 20 points
BOOK REPORT PAPER - - you choose book                                                                    up to 20 points
MIDTERM EXAMINATION - - essay type                                                                  up to 20 points
FINAL EXAMINATION - - essay type                                                                        up to 25 points
SHORT ESSAY ASSIGNMENTS, movie commentaries, Art Museum  visit, etc will offer up to 20 points            

To earn "A" = 90+ points;  "B" = 80+ points;  "C" = 70+ points;  "D" = 60+ points;  Below 60 is failure

COMMENTARY:  The terms, "Middle East' and also "Near East' are geographically non-specific.  In General, "The Middle East' encompasses Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Iraq, Arabia, the Gulf States, and Iran.  The term "Near East" often includes Turkey, and Afghanistan in the mix.  This course looks at the Modern Middle East, discusses how it came to be in terms of current "Nation States," examines the economic underpinnings (Oil) of the Middle East.  The Colonial Era of the 1800's included France, Britain, and Russia - - - always with the U.S.A. considering itself to be a "guardian and guide" of Middle Eastern polity and policy.

SCHEDULE:
10 April     Intro Instructor, materials, requirements for class
                  Geographic/historic background to "Middle/Near East;"
17 April      Seminar on ISLAM, built around the BBC Documentary Film - - READ Chapter 6 in textbook
24 April      Inform Instructor:  TITLE of your book and also SUBJECT of your biography
                   In class, Arab-Israeli conflict - READ Chapter 2 in textbook - - the War of 1973
01 May         USA Policies in the Middle East - - READ Chapter 3 in textbook
08 May        The MID TERM will cover Chapters 2,3,4 from textbook
15 May         Work to complete your BOOK REPORT/Review - - who will share in class?
22 May        Work to complete your BIOGRAPHY REPORT - - who will share in class
29 May         Textbook chapters 5,7,8,9
05 June         Textbook chapters 10, 11 - - FINAL EXAM assigned tonight - at home/ open book!
12 June          Textbook chapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 - -ALL WORK IS DUE THIS FINAL MEETING OF CLASS!

OPTIONAL, EXTRA CREDIT MAKE-UP CLASS will be a visit to the DORIS DUKE MANSION, Diamond Head, under the auspices of the HONOLULU ACADEMY OF ARTS.  This visit costs $20 per person and includes orientation at the Academy of Beretania, transport to/from the Duke Mansion (required), and guided tour with knowledgeable docent.  Approximately 2 hours; guests/friends/family are welcome to participate with class.  For any interested, lunch at the Academy Café, is a no-host option in connection with this Saturday activity.                                                           

COURSE OUTCOMES:
Students will demonstrate geographical knowledge of the Middle East;
Students will demonstrate the cultural, racial, tribal, linguistic, religious factions which make up the Middle East;
Students will demonstrate governmental forms and shapes in the Middle East:  democracy, oligarchy, monarchy, theocratic;
Students will demonstrate economic and environmental factors influencing the nation states of the Middle East.
This "demonstration" will be through class participation and discussion, through written assignments, and through map tests.