FDINT 203
Middle East:
The Roots of Conflict


Exploring the conflicts in the Middle East through the tools of geography, economics, political science, sociology, religion, and historical analysis.  Students will gain a  more balanced view of the  conflicts by understanding it from multiple perspectives.


Course Texts: 
  • Other readings will be found online


Grading

Grading Syllabus

Spring 2013   point system not finished.  LOOK HERE FOR THE "PAPER" TOPICS AND REQUIREMENTS

This is where the assignments are explained including how and what do to your course paper on.

Daily Topic/Assignments Schedule

Spring 2013  (This assignment schedule is being amended as the course progresses)





Maps, Quotes,and Overheads Used in Class

Maps

Middle East History



Resources for Course Paper

The following are resources to aid in research for the course paper (see course syllabus for topic and requirements). 

  • Islamisim (Islamic Awakening, Islamic Fundamentalism, Political Islamism, Militant Islam)
Sub-issues that may be considered




Pictures



Video and Video Streams



Documentary:  "Several Jewish and Palestinian children are followed for three years and put in touch with each other, in this alternative look at the Jewish-Palestinian conflict. The three filmmakers followed a group of seven local children between 1995 and 1998. They all have a totally different background. These seven children tell their own story about growing up in Jerusalem. Through this portrait of their generation, we see how deep rooted and almost insoluble the problems of the Middle East have become. When the protagonists speak out in an epilogue a couple of years later, it becomes apparent that all have lost their childlike innocence." (IMDb write-up)


Documentary film detailing the history of Islam from Muhammad to the Ottoman Empire.


Documentary film about the life of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.


    Budrus
Documentary about non-violent demonstrations conducted by the residents of a Palestinian village north west of Jerusalem called Budrus in the early 2000s againist the building of the wall -- the Israeli West Bank barrier -- being built around Palestinian occupied territory.  In the case of the village of Budrus, the wall was separating the villagers from their land on which most villagers farmed.  This would separate most people from their means of livlyhood.  Through their non-violent demonstrations the people of Budrus were able to change the direction of the wall.  This is a very enlightening documentary.



YAD VASHEM ATTACK: