Near East Studies

This course focuses on the ancient history of the Middle East as a textbook case illustrating the transition from prehistory to history, via the establishment of a centralized power served by a powerful administration, an influential religion, a codified practice of writing, and subtle economic and diplomatic networks. It investigates the unifying factors behind the extension of the geographical contours of this cultural area, what memories classical antiquity retained of this distant East, and the discoveries it made. The course examines this abundant premise, at the crossroads of political, cultural, religious, and artistic sources, to shed light on a few fundamentals with parallels to our own times that should be considered with as much curiosity as caution.

This course offers an introduction to the major geographical and historical dynamics that structure (and divide) the Middle East region; the national, ethnic, and religious identities that divide the region; as well as the major transnational movements shaping the region in the contemporary era (anti-imperialism, “Arab nationalism,” political Islam, along with relevant concepts and terminology). It characterizes the evolving and shifting roles of key external actors (United Nations, United States, Russia, China, European states, European Union) All of this is based on the use of open sources, including those from American and European think tanks (though not exclusively).

This course provides an introduction to the history of the Middle East from the late eighteenth century to the end of the twentieth century. It focuses on the main transformations the region experienced during the ages of imperialism and nationalism, including the foundations of Ottoman rule in the region and its long decline; the entrance of nationalism and its dramatic effects on the political identities of its inhabitants, as well as the formative period of the Arab Israeli conflict. It also discusses the struggle for independence of some of the nation-states in the region, as well as their challenges in its aftermath: the formation of national identity and competing identities to overcome.

This course introduces the history of political thought and state-building in the Middle East from the end of the Ottoman empire (1923) to present days. From the creation of the “Middle East” area by British and French mandatory administrations, this course analyzes how various political ideologies (Kemalism, Zionism, Nasserism, Khomeynism, Ba'athism, and Islamism) have influenced state-building processes in Iran, Turkey, Israel, and in the Near East. By providing methodology and tools based on historical sources, this course addresses the spread of nationalism in the Middle East to encourage a reflection on a question raised by Henry Laurens in 2019: will the 21st century witness the “end of the Middle East?”

This is the second course of Persian language, following LENGUA PERSA I. It offers additional standard vocabulary and covers the following verbal conjugations: the preterite imperfect, the present perfect, the past perfect, the continuous present, the future imperfect, and the imperative, subjunctive, and conditional modes.

This course explores conflict and diplomacy in the contemporary Middle East through an in-depth examination and discussion of case studies from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Each week is devoted to a specific conflict. Additionally, the course serves as an introductory survey to the history, politics, and societies of the contemporary Middle East, as well as to the main dynamics driving conflict and conflict resolution in this region.

The Internship Program gives students hands-on experience with local, regional, or international organizations and businesses to place their work experience into the broader context of professional development and development in Jordan. Students are exposed to the complex developmental, social, political, and business fabric of Jordan and gain valuable work experience. The main part of the course is the practicum, which is monitored by the CIEE lecturer through office hours, check-ins, and follow up with the internship on-site supervisor. In addition, the class meets bi-weekly for guest lecturers, planned site visits, and discussions on topics related to development in Jordan and international careers to provide practical insight into donor/host organizations and their efforts to support Jordan.

The course analyzes the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East as presented in films, the point of view of the press, NGOs, international relations experts, and international law academics . Topics covered include the origin of the conflict, occupation of Palestinian territory, and Israeli national security.

In the 19th century, the Tibetan Plateau was one of the last so-called "blank spots" on European maps, along with other regions of Central Asia. Due to its strategic position in Central Asia and growing economic interests, developing Tibet became an ambitious goal for many Europeans. The seminar examines in what form and with what motives different interest groups such as missionaries, traders, adventurers, scientists and colonial officials acquired and circulated knowledge about Tibet. Why was certain knowledge considered important? How was the collected knowledge interpreted, used and presented? The aim of the seminar is the methodical introduction of the students to colonial history in Asia and the discussion of the role of the so-calledGreat Game between Great Britain and Russia for supremacy in Central Asia, the effects of which reach into the present.
 

Topics include Islamic Reformism (al-Afghani and Abduh), the Arab Renaissance (Tahtawi, Amin), nationalism (al-Husri, Arslan), national culture (Hussein and Mahfouz), Pan-Arabism (Aflaq, Nasser), communism and leftism, Palestine Question (Zurayq, Kanafani), 1967 Critique (al-Azm, Laroui, Mernissi), Islamic Revival, Political Islam, and Arab Liberalism (Jabri, Ibrahim, Saadawi).