PSC260: Middle Eastern Politics

Course Prefix	Course Number	Course Title	Lec-Lab	Credit Hours
PSC	260	Middle Eastern Politics	(3-0)	3

Course Description

Examines political, social, economic, military, religious, and terrorist forces in the Middle East. Investigates the politics of specific countries in the area.

Topical Outline

1. Political, Social, and Economic Background of the Middle East
   1. Geography of the Middle East
   2. Islamic Religious, Cultural, and Political Traditions 
   3. Rise of Arab Nationalism
2. Background on the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
3. Israel
   1. Political History Prior to Independence
   2. Political Parties and the Jewish State 
   3. Parliamentary Government and Economic Problems
   4. Domestic and Foreign Policies
   5. Future Prospects
4. Egypt: Past and Present
   1. Political History Prior to Independence
   2. Political Parties and Groups
   3. Nassar, Sadat, and Mubarak
   4. Domestic and Foreign Policies
5. Syria
   1. Political History Prior to Independence
   2. Political Parties 
   3. Assad’s Government
   4. Domestic and Foreign Policies
6. Lebanon
   1. Political History Prior to Independence
   2. Political Parties and Factions
   3. Syria and Israel: Occupation and the Prospects for Internal Order 
   4. Domestic and Foreign Policies
7. Jordan and the Arabian Peninsula
   1. Political History Prior to Independence
   2. Political Forces
   3. Kings and Revolutionary Movements 
   4. Domestic and Foreign Policies
8. Iraq and Iran
   1. Political History Prior to the Revolution
   2. Political and Religious Groups
   3. Contrasting Leaders
   4. The Iran-Iraq War 
   5. Domestic and Foreign Policies

Method of Presentation

1. Lecture 
2. Films
3. Simulation
4. Guest speakers
5. Transparencies 
6. Large and small group discussions

Student Outcomes (The student should…)

1. Locate and label the countries in the Middle East.
2. Explain and compare the significant types of political systems existing in the Middle East and describe a real life example of each. 
3. Critique newspaper articles and apply them to central themes and elements of conflict in the area.
4. Investigate and explain the politics, economy, and domestic and foreign policies of one country in the region. 
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the reasons for conflicts in this sensitive region.
6. Analyze and make decisions to try to resolve global and foreign policy dilemmas with both clarity and brevity.

Method of Evaluation

1. Written and oral journal article reviews
2. Annotated scrapbooks of newspaper articles
3. Written and oral exams
4. In-class quizzes
5. Background reports on countries in the region

Textbook

Palmer, Politics of the Middle East, 2^nd ed., Wadsworth, 2007.

Prepared by: Bobby Summers

Fall, 2008