Near East Studies

This course provides an overview of empirical, analytical, and theoretical knowledge on the interaction between Islam and the notions of state and power. The course combines historical, sociological, and anthropological approaches in order to provide students with a concrete knowledge of Islam as a religion and as a matrix of a series of political thoughts that are both sophisticated and different from Western European and North American models. Through practical and empirical case studies, the course engages an advanced reflection on the theoretical models and systematic political rationalities carried by ideologies driven by the values and history of Islam.

This course addresses international issues regarding the foreign policies of France and the United States in the Middle East, a zone defined by international organizations as including North Africa and Iran but excluding Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The course includes an interactive dimension which allows students to refine their understanding of the actors and challenges of this subject and to sharpen their critical thinking skills with the reading of various selected texts, including academic works, autobiographies of the stakeholders, and press articles.

This course provides an understanding of contemporary Turkey that goes beyond sole newspaper headlines. It uses, as a starting point, events present in the news in the last two years and analyzes how they are linked to Turkey's past and future.

This course explores issues of diversity and multiculturalism as part of the civic education process. Students first read theoretical writings that highlight the importance of dealing with different types of diversity as part of education in a democratic state. Students then examine the Israeli educational system as a case study that deals (for better or for worse) with such issues, examining the following topics: national diversity, religious diversity, racial diversity, gender diversity, and linguistic diversity. Finally, the course discusses several pedagogical approaches that enable teachers and practitioners to address such topics in the classrooms. Throughout the course, students reflect on their personal stances and roles in this regard.

The course provides an introduction to Islam, exploring key aspects of its thought and practice and early history. The course content is built on the structure of the Hadith of Gabriel, which presents the religion as comprising Islam, or submission (action), iman, or belief (understanding), ihsan, or doing what is beautiful (sincerity), and proper understanding of human history. Topics covered typically include the social and cultural setting in which Islam emerged, religious and political developments during and after the Prophet's life, internal divisions within the Muslim community, the authoritative texts, law, and major schools of Islamic thought.