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 or profwillishamoore@gmail.com
Telephone: 521-7779
“Office Hours” are best before class or, by request

Fall Interim AEOP 2009

SYLLABUS:
TEXT is REQUIRED: THE MIDDLE EAST - - 10th Edition
NOTE: This is not a “traditional textbook.”  It is 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:
16 September     Intro Instructor, materials, requirements for class
                         Geographic/historic background to "Middle/Near East;"
18 September     Seminar on ISLAM, built around the BBC Documentary Film,
                          Read Chapter 6 in textbook; 
19 September      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
21 September       USA Policies in the Middle East - - READ Chapter 3 in text;
23 September       The MID TERM will cover Chapters 2,3,4 from textbook
25 September       Work to complete your BOOK REPORT/Review - - 
                             who will share in class?
26 September       Work to complete your BIOGRAPHY REPORT - - 
                             who will share in class
28 September       Textbook chapters 5,7,8,9
30 September       Textbook chapters 10, 11 - - FINAL EXAM assigned tonight;
02 October          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.