HSTAFM 163 A: The Modern Middle East

Winter 2023
View in MyPlan View in Time Schedule
Meeting:
TTh 3:30pm - 5:20pm / CHL 015
SLN:
15775
Section Type:
Lecture
Instructor:
Michael Sims
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):

THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST | HSTAFM 163A

 

Winter 2023

 

Tuesday and Thursday Lectures: 3:30pm–5:20pm, Chemistry Library Building 015

* Course Website (and Zoom links for remote meetings) on Canvas

 

Instructor:

Michael Sims

simsmb@uw.edu

Office Hours: On Zoom only, Tuesdays 1:30 pm–3:20 pm (https://washington.zoom.us/s/4078244217)

 

OVERVIEW AND COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

This course is a survey of the history of the Middle East beginning in the early 19th century and ending with recent developments. It aims to illuminate the profound and turbulent political, social and economic changes that this region has experienced in the modern era, the reverberations of which are evident in current events. Politically, the region transitioned from Eastern imperial rule under the Ottomans and Qajars to Western colonialism. Formal European-led colonial structures of the early twentieth century then gave way to a combination of autocratic revolutionary governments, tenacious conservative monarchies, and resilient superpower imperialism. Secularist governments initially prevailed in many of these countries while Islamist thought, usually repressed by authorities, flourished and eventually came to the fore in the form of Islamist movements. The twentieth century in the Middle East also saw several wars and contentious peace processes, driven by both internal factors and external intervention. Economically and culturally, the Middle East underwent an uneasy process of integration into the global capitalist system, often provoking mass popular reactions and inspiring socialist movements.

 

In this course, we will examine all of these themes through materials selected from history, primary source texts, fiction in translation, journalism, and visual sources. Discussions of all major Middle Eastern countries will be interwoven into the lectures as thematically appropriate, while the readings focus primarily on the polities in the political and geographical core of the Middle East: Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Iraq, the Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Turkey, and Iran. This course aims to ensure that, by the end of the quarter, students will have an in-depth understanding of important phenomena in international history such as imperialism and anti-imperialism; religious-political movements; the differences between monarchies and revolutionary (usually military) political systems; the roots of identity-based conflict; and the political, social, and economic transformations wrought by what we call “modernity” and “development.” This knowledge is applicable in various academic and career fields related to the humanities and social sciences far beyond the boundaries of Middle Eastern studies. Needless to say, this course also seeks to help students obtain a nuanced understanding of the politics and society of the contemporary Middle East through the application of a historical perspective.

 

TEXTBOOK

 

There is one textbook for this class that you will need to purchase, rent, or borrow: William L. Cleveland and Martin Bunton, A History of the Modern Middle East (6th ed., 2016).

 

The readings listed as “Discussion readings” in the schedule below are available in each week’s module on Canvas as PDF documents. If you would rather complete these readings in print, you can buy them for $16.99 from Professional Copy N Print on the Ave as a coursepack. You can go to Professional Copy N Print in person if you’re nearby (4200 University Way NE), or you can go to https://www.procopyprint.com/product-page/hstafm-136 to order the coursepack online for $5 shipping (don’t worry about the typo in the URL). If you don’t have an established practice for actively reading and annotating documents in an electronic format, I highly suggest doing the discussion readings on paper, and purchasing the coursepack is the easiest and least expensive way to do that for most students.

 

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

 

Topics and readings are divided up into modules by week, and all readings must be completed by that week’s Thursday lecture. In other words, the readings listed under “1/10, 1/12” must be completed by Thursday, 1/12. All materials relevant to each week can be found in the corresponding module on Canvas. Normally this class would have a Friday discussion section, so instead we will often discuss the readings in small groups and as a class on Thursdays.

 

Module 1 | 1/3, 1/5: Course Introduction and a Snapshot c. 1800

Textbook reading:

Primary Source Material:

Module 2 | 1/10, 1/12: Reform, Modernity, Colonialism, and Other Major 19th-Century Themes

Textbook reading:

Primary Source Reading:

Map Quiz, Due 1/13 on Canvas

Module 3 | 1/17, 1/19: World War I and the Reshaping of the Middle East

Online: Lecture Quiz #1

Textbook reading:

Primary Source Reading:

Module 4 | 1/24, 1/26: Mandates, Egypt Under Monarchy, and Pahlavi Iran

Due Wednesday 1/25 at 11:59 pm via Canvas: Primary Source Essay Textbook reading:

Primary Source Reading:

Module 5 | 1/31, 2/2: Syria and Lebanon Under Mandate + Midterm

No Thursday lecture: Midterm Exam Online

Note: this week’s reading will not be covered on the midterm exam. This material will be covered on the final exam. I will upload a link to a Panopto recording in lieu of a lecture for Thursday.

Textbook reading:

      225

Primary Source Reading:

Module 6 | 2/7, 2/9: The Palestine Mandate and the State of Israel; Nasser and a Revolutionary Era, Part 1

Textbook reading:

Primary Source Reading:

Module 7 | 2/14, 2/16: Nasser and a Revolutionary Era, Part 2; Arab Nationalism, Baathism, Kurdish Nationalism

Textbook reading:

Primary Source Readings:

Module 8 | 2/21, 2/23: Understanding Late 20th-Century Islamism; Iran and Iraq to 1988

Textbook reading:

Primary Source Readings:

Due Friday 2/24 at 11:59 pm via Canvas: Letter to the Editor (Optional; Higher grade chosen and doubled between Letter to Editor and the Primary Source Response Paper from Earlier This Quarter)

Module 9 | 2/28, 3/2: Arab-Israeli Wars, the Lebanese Civil War, and Israel-Palestine to the present

Lecture Quiz #2 (Online) Due Friday, March 3rd at Midnight

Textbook reading:

Primary Source Reading:

Module 10 | 3/7, 3/9: The Gulf War, 9/11, and the Iraq War; A Region Reforming or Unraveling?

Textbook reading:

Discussion reading:

Final Exam: Thursday March 16th, 4:30-6:20 PM, Chemistry Library Building 015

 

GRADING

 

Lecture Participation

15%

Map Quiz

5%

Lecture Quizzes (2)

5%

Primary Source Essay (1000-1500 words)

15%

Midterm Exam

15%

Letter to the Editor (500 words)

15%

Final Exam

30%

 

 

All work in this class will be graded as percentages and then converted to the standard UW

 

4.0 scale. This is a class that gives you all the tools you need to succeed—there’s no “gotcha” exam meant to weed people out, for example, and we do not grade on a curve. You will be provided with thorough guideline handouts and review sheets for the two papers and two exams. At the same time, this is a class that rewards—and expects, and requires—your presence, your engagement, and your completion of readings. Regular participation correlates highly with better grades; skipping lectures correlates with poorer exam grades.

 

Assignment due dates in this course are intended to keep you on track because the material is challenging—if certain kinds of work aren’t completed by certain points in the course, your comprehension of the material and ability to finish the course will be compromised.

 

Due dates also make giving you feedback on your work easier because assignments will come in at predictable times. Due dates are, in other words, not intended to be punitive— we’re not itching to delete points from your grade for lateness. If you require an extension on one or two assignments for no more than one week (each), please email me, and you will be granted an extension with no questions asked. You do not need to provide a reason. If you need more than two extensions or you need an extension that is longer than one week, please email me and explain your situation in more detail or meet with me during office hours so that I can help you come up with a plan to complete the work in the course successfully.

 

ABSENCES

 

This class is taking place during an ongoing pandemic—not to mention that it’s Winter Quarter and there’s already been one Seattle winter snowstorm. I will do everything possible to be flexible with those who need to miss class. If you have tested positive for covid and have not yet reached the point where you can leave quarantine according to campus guidelines, please do not come to class physically. If you are experiencing symptoms that may be covid, please do not come to class physically. If you know that you have been exposed to covid (by a roommate, for instance), please do not come to class physically.

Participation in lectures is required. I will often call on students to check comprehension. As emphasized above, I understand that the ongoing covid pandemic, severe winter weather, and other problems may interfere with your ability to attend class. Absences due to illness, likely covid exposure, a snowstorm, a personal emergency, or similar highly restrictive circumstances beyond your control will not affect your final grade—just email me to let me know so that you are excused for that day. (I do this on the honor system—you do not need to show us a doctor’s note to be excused from class, for example.)

 

You are responsible for keeping up with the material presented in lectures. The classroom does not support Panopto recording. I will make audio recordings of lectures available upon request.

 

TECHNOLOGY

The use of laptops is permitted to take notes during Tuesday and Thursday lectures. If you do use your laptop in lecture, please ensure that you are avoiding any distractions, both to yourself and to those around you, by focusing on course material and not tinkering with other applications.

 

 

 

 

DISCUSSIONS AND DIFFERENCE

 

In our discussions you will be expected to make thoughtful, regular contributions to an ongoing conversation. You should do your best to participate in a way that furthers the discussion, which includes building on what others have said, but also includes allowing others to talk. Most importantly, making your comments in good faith, and assuming that your fellow students and instructors are doing the same, is essential. In this class, you will read about, listen to, and discuss material that is often politically charged. There is no expectation for either you or us to be politically “objective” or “neutral”—everybody, after all, has a subjective perspective—but you should aim to be fair and collegial. Reasonable, evidence-based perspectives are always welcome, even if they disagree with those expressed by the instructors or by one’s classmates. Any comments that promote bigotry, however, will not be condoned as equally valid views. Furthermore, we will handle any comments that cross the line into abuse (such as sexual harassment) according to the procedures outlined on the Department of History attachment at the end of this syllabus. Do note that the texts and video clips you are presented in this class will, at times, exhibit the prejudices of those who created them. You are urged to analyze any material assigned to you in this class critically.

 

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

 

Students in this course will be expected to adhere to the standards of academic integrity set forth by the University of Washington. In order to receive a passing grade and credit for this course, all of the written work you submit must be your own and, in the case of papers, must contain citations of sources consulted. On the course website under Files, there is a handout titled “Maintaining Academic Integrity in History Classes” whose guidelines you will be expected to follow. More information on the definition of plagiarism and how to avoid it may also be found in Harvard University’s “Guide to Using Sources” at http://usingsources.fas.harvard.edu. Generally speaking, in this class, simple parenthetical citations with the author’s name and relevant page number in them will suffice, e.g., (Cleveland 53).

 

As of this writing in January 2023, all quizzes and exams in this class are scheduled to be offered in person in class. If a covid outbreak or severe weather requires us to move a quiz or exam online, any remote quizzes and exams will be open book and open note. (They will be written differently to account for the fact that you will have access to your readings and notes.) In the case of remote examination, it is not academically dishonest to use the assigned readings, or any other resources that we have explicitly suggested you use (like Google Maps for the map quiz), to complete these remote assignments. However, such materials may not be used in the currently scheduled in-class quizzes and exams: any in-class quizzes and exams will be closed book.

 

It is also necessary to clarify the rules on collaboration with fellow students. First of all, as stated above, all work you submit in this class must be your own to receive credit—which means that collaborating on quizzes or exams is not permitted. For the paper assignments, you are permitted (and encouraged!) to ask fellow students, friends, or tutors (such as the History Writing Center) for help with thinking through your ideas and editing your writing to make it better. You are permitted to share your lecture or discussion notes with an individual classmate or a small group of your classmates as long as you are doing so for free. You are also welcome to share your notes for your classmates’ benefit through authorized UW services such as Disability Resources for Students. However, selling your HSTAFM 163 class notes and study guides to your classmates—whether directly for cash or indirectly through a non-UW-affiliated service—is strictly prohibited in all cases, as is the act of buying such notes. Students found in violation of these rules will be reported to the UW Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct for arbitration.

 

 

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

 

The University of Washington provides accommodations for students with disabilities through Disability Resources for Students (DRS). DRS is required to keep the nature of a student’s disability confidential. This course has textual, auditory, and visual components, as well as three quizzes and two essay-style examinations. If you have a disability and think that you will need accommodations for any component of the course, please ensure that you are in contact with DRS, http://disability.uw.edu or uwdrs@uw.edu, 206-543-8924 (voice) or 206-543-8925 (TTY). In addition to communicating with DRS, please talk to your TA and me about your needs early in the quarter.

 

If you need course readings to be read aloud to you by a text-to-voice app and you have trouble with the inaccessible PDFs for the primary source/discussion readings, you may find the optical character recognition (OCR) function in Google Docs to be useful. There is a link on the front page of the course website to a quick tutorial for running PDFs through Google Docs to create accessible text documents. You should be able to use an e-book version of the Cleveland and Bunton textbook with a text-to-voice app.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faculty mailboxes are located in 318 Smith. T.A. mailboxes are located in Smith 315, but these boxes are not secure and are only available when the office is open.

 

 

 

Plagiarism and Incompletes

 

Plagiarism

 

Plagiarism is defined as the use of creations, ideas or words of publicly available work without formally acknowledging the author or source through appropriate use of quotation marks, references, and the like. Along with the University of Washington, the History Department takes plagiarism very seriously. Plagiarism may lead to disciplinary action by the University against the student who submitted the work. Any student who is uncertain whether their use of the work of others constitutes plagiarism should consult the course instructor for guidance before submitting coursework.

 

Incompletes

 

An incomplete is given only when the student has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work until within two weeks of the end of the quarter and has furnished proof satisfactory to the instructor that the work cannot be completed because of illness or other circumstances beyond the student's control.

 

Grading Procedures

 

Except in case of error, no instructor may change a grade that they have turned in to the Registrar. Grades cannot be changed after a degree has been granted.

 

Grade Appeal Procedure

 

A student who believes they have been improperly graded must first discuss the matter with the instructor. If the student is not satisfied with the instructor's explanation, the student, no later than ten days after their discussion with the instructor, may submit a written appeal to the Chair of the History Department with a copy of the appeal also sent to the instructor. Within 10 calendar days, the Chair consults with the instructor to ensure that the evaluation of the student's performance has not been arbitrary or capricious. Should the Chair believe the instructor's conduct to be arbitrary or capricious and the instructor declines to revise the grade, the Chair, with the approval of the voting members of their faculty, shall appoint an appropriate member, or members, of the faculty of the History Department to evaluate the performance of the student and assign a grade. The Dean and Provost should be informed of this action. Once a student submits a written appeal, this document and all subsequent actions on this appeal are recorded in written form for deposit in a History Department file.

 

Sexual Harassment

 

Sexual harassment is defined as the use of one’s authority or power, either explicitly or implicitly, to coerce another into unwanted sexual relations or to punish another for their refusal to engage in sexual acts. It is also defined as the creation by a member of the University community of an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment through verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

 

If you are being harassed, seek help—the earlier the better. You may speak with your instructor, your teaching assistant, History Undergraduate Advising, the Department’s Director of Academic Services (Smith 315A) or the Chair of the Department (Smith 308). In addition, the Office of the Ombud (206 543-6028) is a University resource for all students, faculty and staff. Community Standards and Student Conduct Office (cssc@uw.edu) is a resource for students.

 

Equal Opportunity

 

The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran. This policy applies to all programs and facilities, including, but not limited to, admissions, educational programs, employment, and patient and hospital services.

 

 

 

 

 

Religious Accommodations

 

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).

 

Access and Accommodations

 

Your experience in this class is important to us. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please communicate your approved accommodations to us at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course.

 

If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924 or uwdrs@uw.edu or disability.uw.edu. DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

 

Department of History Diversity Committee

 

The Department of History Diversity Committee initiates and facilitates an ongoing conversation about diversity, proposes measures to address institutional disparities, and also serves as a confidential resource for students, staff, and faculty who have concerns related to climate and diversity. Any member of the department's learning and working community may contact the committee with concerns and questions. https://history.washington.edu/diversity-resources

 

Standards of Conduct and Academic Integrity: (see WAC 478-121-020)

The following abilities and behavioral expectations complement the UW Student Conduct Code. All students need to demonstrate the following behaviors and abilities: Communication: All students must communicate effectively with other students, faculty, staff, and other professionals within the Department of History. Students must attempt to express ideas and feelings clearly and demonstrate a willingness and ability to give and receive feedback. All students must be able to reason, analyze, integrate, synthesize, and evaluate in the context of the class. Students must be able to evaluate and apply information and engage in critical thinking in the classroom and professional setting. Behavioral/Emotional: Students must demonstrate the emotional maturity required for the adequate utilization of intellectual abilities, the exercise of sound judgment, and the timely completion of responsibilities in the class. Further, students must be able to maintain mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with students, faculty, staff, and other professionals while engaging in the class and within the History Department. Students must have the emotional stability to function effectively in the classroom.

 

Students must be able and willing to examine and change behaviors when they interfere with productive individual or team relationships. Problematic behavior documented: Problematic behavior will be documented by the Department and if deemed appropriate forwarded on to Community Standards and Student Conduct. If a pattern of behavior or a single, serious lapse in the behavioral expectations becomes evident, the steps below will be followed so that the student is apprised of a warning indicating that the student’s continuation in the class and/or major is in jeopardy. The student’s instructor and/or appropriate program advisor or teaching assistant will document, either verbally or in writing, the concerning behavior and notify the student that they are receiving a warning. Notification of the warning will be forwarded on to the Chair of the Department and Student Conduct and Community Standards via email or in hard copy. The warning identifies what the concerning behavior was and that any further disruptions or concerning incidents will result in the student being asked to leave the class. When incidents occur that represent a significant impact to the program or its participants, students may be asked to leave immediately without prior warning.

 

 

 

 

 

Safety and Evacuation

 

Evacuation routes are posted throughout the building. In case of a fire, please evacuate and go to the evacuation assembly point, locations of which are posted on building walls. In case of a power outage or earthquake, please stay where you are and, for the latter, protect your head and neck. Students with disabilities which could impair evacuation should notify the instructor early in the quarter so accommodations can be made.

 

Concerns about a course, an instructor, or a teaching assistant

 

Instructors

 

If you have any concerns about the course or the instructor in charge of the course, please see the instructor about these concerns as soon as possible. If you are not comfortable talking with the instructor or not satisfied with the response that you receive, contact the History Department’s Director of Academic Services, Tracy Maschman Morrissey, in Smith 315A. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive from Tracy, make an appointment with the Assistant to the Chair in Smith 308B to speak with the Chair.

Catalog Description:
Provides an introduction the politics, society, and culture of the Middle East since the 19th century and through the present. Aims to foster an understanding of imperial power and anti-imperialism, ethnicity and sectarianism, religious and secular sociopolitical movements, authoritarianism, and the transformations wrought by modernity and economic development.
GE Requirements Met:
Diversity (DIV)
Social Sciences (SSc)
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
May 1, 2024 - 9:02 pm