History of the Middle East

Course Number:

HST 104

Transcript Title:

History of the Middle East

Created:

Aug 11, 2022

Updated:

Jul 12, 2023

Total Credits:

4

Lecture Hours:

40

Lecture / Lab Hours:

0

Lab Hours:

0

Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:

Yes

Satisfies General Education requirement:

Yes

Grading Options

A-F, P/NP, Audit

Default Grading Options

A-F

Repeats available for credit:

0

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major

1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)

Major

2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)

Not Addressed

3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)

Major

4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)

Major

5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Competencies and Skills

• Identify the characteristics of Middle Eastern civilization
• Identify key political, geographical, social, economic and cultural aspects of Middle Eastern civilization
• Appraise how civilization changed over time
• Analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources
• Connect evidence to its relevant historical context
• Evaluate different interpretations of past events and construct your own
• Recognize and understand the basis for various interpretations and views of historical issues
• Identify an historian's thesis and supporting evidence
• Select what is important from a large body of material
• Connect past and present

Themes, Concepts, and Issues

• Geography and natural environment of Southwest Asia and North Africa
• Pre-Islamic Middle East
• Political and religious development of the Hebrews
• Mohammed and the emergence of Islam
• The early Caliphate and the expansion of Arab Culture
• Umayyad and Abbasid eras
• The evolution of Islam and Islamic civilization
• Fatimid and Mamluk Egypt
• Forces of fragmentation such as Shiism, Crusades, Mongols
• Rise of the Ottoman Empire
• Evolution and decline of the Ottoman Empire
• The Safavid Dynasty
• Imperialism and impact of WWI on the Middle East
• Emergence of the modern states of the Middle East
• Zionism and Arab Nationalism
• Arab-Israeli conflict and the peace process
• Oil and economic development in the twentieth century
• Iranian Revolution and Islamism
• United States and the Middle East

Considering such factors as:

• Geography
• Social hierarchy
• Institutions
• Political and economic structures
• Imperial governments
• Law
• Cultural contributions
• Philosophies and religions
• Gender
• Diversity