Fall 2008 Graduate Courses
PLEASE NOTE: This information is subject to change prior to the beginning of
registration, so please verify your course selections against the University Bulletin listings.
Also, this listing does not include Arabic or Hebrew language classes, or classes that may count towards Professional Specialization Field requirements.
Contact Rhea Myerscough (mesp@gwu.edu) if you have any questions about the course offerings.
Required (First year M.A. students only)
Middle East Studies Cornerstone (IAFF 341.10)
Core
Political Economy of the Middle East (IAFF 346.10)
Religion and Society in the Modern Middle East (IAFF 347.10)
International Relations of the Middle East (PSC 278.10)
History of the Modern Middle East (HIST 297.10 )
Anthropology of Security (ANTH 251.10)
Elective
Advanced Arabic (IAFF 204.14)
Regional Security in the Middle East (IAFF 342.10)
U.S. Policy in the Gulf (IAFF 358.10)
U.S. Policy and Iraq (IAFF 358.11)
Political Islam (IAFF 358.12)
Politics of Oil States in the Middle East (IAFF 358.13)
Conflict and Peacebuilding in Divided Societies of the Middle East
(IAFF 358.14)
War and Memory in the Middle East (HIST 297.11)
The Arab-Israeli Conflict (PSC 276.10)
Required
Middle East Studies Cornerstone (IAFF 341.10)*
IMES Faculty
Fall 2007 Agenda 
Students and faculty in the program will participate in an introductory symposium to be held over a weekend early in the first semester of study. The symposium will be required for all students but will graded on a pass/fail basis. It will focus on a general theme relevant to the modern Middle East. Program faculty will develop a short set of core readings and lead discussions on the theme from the vantage point of their own scholarly expertise and experience. Outsider experts and alumni will be invited to participate as well.
*This is a required course for all first- year MES M.A. students
Core
Political Economy of the Middle East (IAFF 346.10)
Nadeya Mohamed
M 5:10-7:00 p.m.
This course is designed as a seminar to introduce students to the present day political economy of the Middle East, or the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) as it is generally called, a region stretching from Morocco to Iran. Starting with an overview of the historical and political challenges facing economic development in the MENA, students will apply such insights to present day issues in the region.
The course relies on the framework presented in Alan Richards’ and John Waterbury’s textbook (RW) as a basis for understanding the past successes and present challenges of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. However, the course dwells longer on subjects such as the political economy of oil, political Islam, and human development than does the text. The four United Nations Arab Human Development Reports, and the World Bank’s flagship Reports will complement RW’s analysis of the human development challenges faced by the region. External speakers (predominantly ‘experts’ working at the World Bank) will be invited to discuss ‘case studies’, in particular to highlight the thematic issue being reviewed.
Religion and Society in the Modern Middle East (IAFF 347.10)
TBA
R 7:10-9:00 p.m.
This course examines the historical development and cultural context of religion in the Middle East, and explores the relationship between religious identity and politics in the modern Middle East.
International Relations of the Middle East (PSC 278.10)
Marc Lynch
W 5:10 -7:00 p.m.
Fall 2007 Syllabus
Why has the Middle East been the site of so much armed conflict, protracted political stalemate, and transnational violence? Why have its problems consumed so much of the energy and attention of global powers? This course examines the broad themes and major theoretical frameworks for understanding the international politics of the contemporary Middle East. Among the major themes covered are the dynamics of inter-Arab alliances and conflicts, the causes of wars (whether Arab-Israeli, Arab-Arab, or Arab-Iranian), great power involvement, and Arab-Israeli peace negotiations. We pay particular attention to the importance of public discourse and opinion, perceptions and misperceptions, and the role of national identity and ideologies. Finally, the course concludes with a look at several factors potentially transforming regional politics, including the American occupation of Iraq, the rise of regional media such as al-Jazeera, and the emergence of al-Qaeda’s brand of transnational Islamist radicalism.
History of the Modern Middle East (HIST 297.10)
Shira Robinson
R 5:10-7:00 p.m.
Fall 2007 Syllabus
Since the publication of Edward Said’s Orientalism in 1978, the rise of postcolonial and poststructuralist studies has transformed the social and cultural historiography of the modern Middle East. This course is designed to acquaint graduate students with some of the major debates in the field, including the question of how scholars, along with the historical figures they study, have defined modernity itself. We begin with Orientalism as discipline and the arguments and legacy of Orientalism, the book. For the rest of the semester our readings will cover such themes as colonialism, sectarian violence, cultures of nationalism, gender and the family, technology and statebuilding, and the cultural history of petroleum.
Anthropology of Security (ANTH 251.10)
Ilana Feldman
T 5:10-7:00 p.m.
Elective Courses
Advanced Arabic (IAFF 204.14)*
Nashwa Taher
R 5:10-7:00 p.m.
Spring 2008 Syllabus
This seven-week course is intended for students at the Advanced-Mid/High levels of proficiency in Arabic. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing are equally emphasized and the authentic instructional materials selected for this class will focus on the prevailing political culture in the Arab world, Arab relations with the West, women’s issues and women’s rights, and the role of religion and religious movements in Arab & Muslim societies.
Students in this class will participate in listening activities requiring note taking skills, in the speaking activities, they are expected to develop debating presentational skills, in their reading they are expected to read between the lines and make inferences. In their writing, they are expected to write coherent multi-paragraph essays.
*This is a one-credit course that meets for 7 weeks
Regional Security in the Middle East (IAFF 342.10)
Judith Yaphe
W 6:10-8:00 p.m.
This course is intended to give you information and insight into the formulation of U.S. foreign policy and strategic security issues toward the region known as the Middle East. It will examine the factors that have shaped and will continue to influence the making of American foreign and security policies in a region important for its geo–strategic location, energy resources, and propensity for weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and autocratic governance. Moreover, it is a region that houses the epicenters of 3 of the world's great religions–Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. All of these issues are flashpoints for U.S. foreign and security policy interests.
This course is meant to enhance your ability to analyze these issues; understand them in their geographic, cultural, and historical context; and consider how to formulate policy. In the process, you will be asked to defend or criticize topics and countries, some of which may be familiar and important to you, and others that may be unfamiliar and even unpopular with your customary perceptions of a political system, a religion, and some important themes in modern history, politics, and culture. The focus will be on security issues, the nature of governance and civil society, and issues that are significant for U.S. policy planning. If you have strong biases or views on any of these issues, please leave them at the door and come to class with an open mind.
U.S. Policy in the Gulf (IAFF 358.10)
Edward Gnehm
M 5:10-7:00 p.m.
This course focuses on the evolution of United States policy in the Gulf from the end of World War II to present, examining both its causes and effects. The Cold War, Arab nationalism, Islam, oil, and regional rivalries will be looked at as factors impacting U.S. decision-making and actions.
Between 1945 and 2004 there were significant changes in the United States’ relationship with many of the regional states. Iran under the Shah was an ally; but following the revolution in 1979 the relationship has been tense and hostile. Saudi Arabia has been second to none as a lynchpin of American policy in the Gulf, a long-time ally with common strategic interests but significant social and cultural differences. Events post–9/11 have stressed relations. The U.S. relationship with Iraq has been a roller coaster–from a CENTO ally under the monarchy to enemy number one under Saddam Hussein. The other states in the Gulf became independent nations during this period and all have unique but evolving and deepening relations with the United States. A study of this period of history aims to provide a basis for understanding where U.S. policy may go in the future.
In addition to the course reading material, I will draw extensively on my personal experiences as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and State, my assignments as Ambassador to Kuwait during the first Gulf war and as Ambassador to Jordan during the war with Iraq, as well as my work at the United Nations as Deputy Permanent Representative in the 1990's working on Iraqi sanctions and other Iraq related resolution in the Security Council.
U.S. Policy and Iraq (IAFF 358.11)
Christopher Kojm
T 5:10-7:00 p.m.
Fall 2007 Syllabus
What are the next steps that can best protect and promote U.S. interests in Iraq? What are the military, political, economic and diplomatic steps the United States should pursue, and how can they be integrated into a comprehensive policy? What steps are needed to build political support domestically and internationally for that policy, and to gain the necessary financial resources from the Congress? The class will prepare an integrated set of recommendations, and spell out a strategy for winning public and Congressional support for them.
Political Islam (IAFF 358.12)
TBA
T 7:10-9:00 p.m.
Politics of Oil States in the Middle East (IAFF 358.13)
David Pollock
R 5:10-7:00 p.m.
This course explores the ways in which oil influences the domestic and international politics of the oil-producing states of the Middle East.
Conflict and Peacebuilding in Divided Societies of the Middle East
(IAFF 358.14)
Adina Friedman
M 7:10-9:00 p.m.
This course examines the phenomenon of deep-rooted conflict in divided societies, and focuses on different peacebuilding approaches and strategies utilized in different contexts.. The course aims to: (1) identify and understand the characteristics of deep-rooted conflicts and the nature of ethnic and other relations in divided societies; (2) examine various theoretical frameworks which underline certain peacebuilding strategies and approaches; (3) understand the complexity and challenges involved in implementing peacebuilding strategies in the context of deep-rooted conflicts.
The course takes the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (particularly within the state of Israel ) as a major case study, and looks at additional cases . The course investigates the many challenges faced by peacemakers operating within divided societies, and examines different peacebuilding approaches and strategies, including the initiation of dialogue, launching peace organizations and massive protest movements, monitoring of human rights abuse, educating for democracy and curriculum development, carrying out conflict resolution training, encouraging intercultural and interreligious encounters, and conducting formal negotiations. The evaluates the impact and role of national and grassroots movements in promoting peace and negotiation, instead of focusing solely on that of the political elite in perpetuating or settling the conflict.
The course will first explore some basic characteristics of deep-rooted conflicts in divided societies, and more specifically elements of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as: (a) the conflict’s national and religious roots/dimensions; (b) the current issues under negotiation; (c) the alternative solutions proposed; and (d) the social and political obstacles for the implementation of a negotiated settlement. In this context, students will discuss the dilemmas and obstacles awaiting activists who work for peace within the context of this conflict and others. Examples from other deep-rooted conflicts such as: Lebanon, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Bosnia and others will be utilized in the course as well.
War and Memory in the Middle East (HIST 297.11)
Dina Khoury
T 7:10-9:00
The Arab-Israeli Conflict (PSC 276.10)
Murhaf Jouejati
M 5:10-7:00