Spring 2009 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.
Undergraduate Courses
Foundational
IAFF 096 - Islam, Culture and Society
Other
IAFF 188.10 - Comparative Authority in the Middle East
IAFF 188.11 - Advanced Readings in Arab Politics
IAFF 188.13 - US Policy in the Gulf
IAFF 188.14 - Gender and Politics in the Middle East
IAFF 190W.15 - Arab-Israeli Conflict
IAFF 191.11 - Senior Seminar: Political Islam
IAFF191.13 - Senior Seminar: The Middle East
PSC 176- The Arab-Israeli Conflict
PSC 177- Governments and Politics of the Middle East
PSC 178 - International Relations of the Middle East
PSC 190.10 - Gender and Terrorism
PSC 190.11 - Terrorism and Counter Terrorism
PSC 192W. 10 - Advanced Israeli Politics
HIS 101.12 - The Arab- Israeli Conflict
HIS 101.15 - Modern Iraq and Iran
HIS 108.80 - History of Ancient Israel
HIS 161.10 - The History of Israel
REL 163.10 - Islamic Religion and Art
REL 190.16 - Islamic Political Thought
REL 771.10 - Persian Sufi Literature
CLAS 101.10 - Modern Hebrew Literary Classics
CLAS 103.10 - Arab Film and Culture
CLAS 105.12 - Post Colonial Readings in Modern Arabic Literature
CLAS 105. 13 - Introduction to Arabic Translation
CLAS 118.80 - History of Ancient Israel
Graduate Courses
Core
PSC 277 - Comparative Politics of the Middle East
Elective
IAFF 288.12 - Responses to Terrorism
IAFF 288.18 - Counterterrorism
IAFF 288.19 - Terrorism and US Foreign Policy
IAFF 288.23 - Security in the Middle East
IAFF 358.10 - Iran & Iraq: Society, Politics, War, and Peace
IAFF 358.11 – The Politics of Syria and Lebanon
IAFF 358.12- The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
IAFF 358.13 – Saudi Arabia in the 21st Century
CLAS 101.10 - Modern Hebrew Literary Classics
CLAS 103.10 - Arab Film and Culture
CLAS 105.12 - Post Colonial Readings in Modern Arabic Literature
CLAS 105. 13 - Intro to Arabic Translation
GEOG 250 - Geographical Perspectives on Development
Undergraduate Courses
Foundational
IAFF 096 - Islam, Culture and Society
Iskander
R 7:10PM-9:40PM
Spring 2008 Syllabus
This course will serve as an introduction to Islam, both as a transnational religious
tradition of capital importance and as a way of thinking about a great world civilization.
We will thus run from the 7th century CE to the era of modernity, and from the Arabo-
Islamic heartlands to India.
Objectives: to be able to identify keep geographic, historical, religious and cultural
moments in Islamic history; to be able to identify ways that this civilization has a
historical and cultural continuity and unity, while also understanding some of its
complexity and diversity; to begin to see the ways that Islamic and Western civilizations
are part of a complex but related narrative.
PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this class will be restricted for the first few weeks of registration, in order to allow all Middle East Studies majors who need to take the class to register for it.
If you are a Middle East Studies major, you will need to stop by the Institute for Middle East Studies (Suite 512 at ESIA) to have Rhea Myerscough sign you into the class.
I
f you are not a Middle East Studies major, but are interested in the class, please email mesp@gwu.edu to have your name added to the list of students that will be permitted to register for the class after MES students have registered.
Other
IAFF 188.10 - Comparative Authority in the Middle East
Kiamie
T 7:10PM- 9:40PM
IAFF 188.11 - Advanced Readings in Arab Politics
Kiamie
R 7:10PM- 9:40PM
IAFF 188.13 - US Policy in the Gulf
Gnehm
TR 9:35AM-10:50AM
Spring 2008 Syllabus
IAFF 188.14 - Gender and Politics in the Middle East
W 12:45PM-3:15PM
IAFF 190W.15 - Arab-Israeli Conflict
Friedman
T 12:45PM-3:15PM
IAFF 191.11 - Senior Seminar: Political Islam
Kavakci
W 7:10PM- 9:40PM
IAFF191.13 - Senior Seminar: The Middle East
Friedman
R 12:45PM-3:15PM
PSC 176- The Arab-Israeli Conflict
Reich
TR 2:20PM-3:35PM
PSC 177- Governments and Politics of the Middle East
Taft
TR 1:00PM-2:15PM
PSC 178 - International Relations of the Middle East
Lynch
MW 12:45PM-2:00PM
PSC 190.10 - Gender and Terrorism
Berko
TR 9:35AM-10:50AM
PSC 190.11 - Terrorism and Counter Terrorism
Berko
T 11:10AM-1:00PM
PSC 192W. 10 - Advanced Israeli Politics
Reich
R 11:10AM-1:00PM
HIS 101.12 - The Arab- Israeli Conflict
Winston
TR 11:10AM-12:25PM
The History of the Arab-Israeli conflict is an upper-level overview of the history of the Zionist and Palestinians national movements, the State of Israel, and the Palestinian Authority. It will emphasize contemporary political, military, and diplomatic aspects of the conflict, concentrating on the Israeli-Palestinian axis with some attention devoted to the roles of the United States and Israel's Arab neighbors. The course does not focus exclusively on diplomacy and international relations but also explores the internal political, social and cultural developments in Israel and Palestine that have conditioned the dispute and the prospects for breaking the current stalemate. A previous course on some aspect of Middle Eastern history, politics, or religion is strongly recommended but not required.
HIS 101.15 - Modern Iraq and Iran
Winston
TR 2:20PM-3:35PM
This is an upper level lecture course devoted to the modern history of two Middle Eastern countries with which the United States has had a long, complicated, and often conflictive relationship: Iran and Iraq. The thrust of the course, however, is on understanding the recent historical development of both countries on their own terms, rather than primarily as entities that have sparred with Washington. Emphasis is on the 20th century experience: Iraq since its creation after World War I and Iran since the Constitutional Revolution of 1905. Although the prime focus is on political developments, there is ample coverage of cultural, religious and economic trends. Particular stress is placed on ethnic and religious fissures, the development of national identities, the process of modernization and state-building, the emergence of authoritarian governments, and the growth of political Islam in both countries. A previous course on some aspect of Middle Eastern history, politics, or religion is strongly recommended but not required.
HIS 108.80 - The History of Ancient Israel
Schwartz
M 2:20PM-3:35PM
W 3:45PM-5:00PM
The history of ancient Israel from the Patriarchs through the Romans. Topics include historical, archaeological, political, social, cultural, religious, diplomatic, military, economic, and intellectual events, movements, and relationships
HIS 161.10 - The History of Israel
Cline
TR 14:20PM-15:35PM
REL 163.10 - Islamic Religion and Art
Faghfoory
TR 3:45PM-5:00PM
REL 190.16 - Islamic Political Thought
Faghfoory
TR 9:35AM-10:50AM
REL 771.10 - Persian Sufi Literature
Nasr
TR 11:10AM-12:25PM
CLAS 101.10 - Modern Hebrew Literary Classics
Ticktin
TR 12:45PM-2:00PM
CLAS 103.10 - Arab Film and Culture
Esseesy
TR 11:10AM-12:25PM
This course is as much a study of the Arab cinema as an institution and industry whose product is film, as it is a study of the Arab culture represented in the film itself. In covering such massive ground, this course studies the Arab cinema from a historical perspective and analyzes film genres along with cinematic themes.
It is expected that students in this class would develop an understanding of the origins and development of Arab national cinema; successfully read and interpret the film for its artistic and cultural value; and develop an understanding of patterns, codes and conventions in cinematic expression of culture across time and space
CLAS 105.12 - Post Colonial Readings in Modern Arabic Literature
Al Dubbati
TR 2:20PM-3:35PM
dubbati@gwu.edu
Course open to graduate, undergraduate, and non-degree students
The main focus of the course will be the literary and cinematic representation of gender and sexuality in the context of defining individual nationalisms in Arab countries. The selected texts and movies will shed light on the ways in which Arab writers and moviemakers dealt with postcolonial themes, such as the nationalization of political and cultural identities and gender. We will examine the effects of European colonialism on the social structures of Arab societies and the development of nationalisms.
We will look at the representation of the Arab woman and her sexuality as the contentious site of conflicting forces of self-definition and identification and the struggle between nation-state reality and the nostalgia for pre-colonial pan-Arabism. The course will also explore the ways in which the nationalization of the female body and the family have complicated the division between private and public spheres.
CLAS 105. 13 - Introduction to Arabic Translation
M 12:45PM-2:00PM and W 12:45PM-2:00PM
CLAS 118.80 - History of Ancient Israel
Cline
TR 2:20PM-3:35PM
Graduate Courses
Core
PSC 277 - Comparative Politics-Middle East
Cook
W 5:10PM-7:00PM
Spring 2009 Syllabus
This course will concentrate on two aspects of the comparative politics of the Middle East: state formation (with a special focus on political economy) and political ideology (with a special focus on Islam and politics, in theory and practice).
Electives
CLAS 101.10 - Modern Hebrew Literary Classics
Ticktin
TR 12:45PM-2:00PM
CLAS 103.10 - Arab Film and Culture
Esseesy
TR 11:10AM-12:25PM
CLAS 105.12 - Post Colonial Readings in Modern Arabic Literature
Al Dubbati
TR 2:20PM-3:35PM
CLAS 105. 13 - Introduction to Arabic Translation
M 12:45PM-2:00PM and W 12:45PM-2:00PM
IAFF 204.14 - Advanced Arabic
TBA
R 7:10PM-9:00PM
Spring 2008 Syllabus
This six week course is intended for students at the AdvancedMid/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 following topics:
1. The prevailing political culture in the Arab world
2. Arab relations with the West
3. Women’s issues and women’s rights
4. 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 multiparagraph essays
IAFF 288.12 - Responses to Terrorism
Siers
M 6:10PM-8:00PM
IAFF 288.18 - Counterterrorism
Pope
R 5:10PM-7:00 PM
IAFF 288.19 - Terrorism and US Foreign Policy
Faber
W 5:10PM-7:00PM
IAFF 288.23 - Security in the Middle East
Beyoghlow
7:10PM-9:00PM
IAFF 358.10 - Iran & Iraq: Society, Politics, War, and Peace
Yaphe
W 5:10PM-7:00PM
Spring 2008 Syllabus
This course is intended to give you information and insight into the history and political culture of modern Iraq and its relations with Iran, its other neighbors, and the United States. The focus will be on the role of occupation, militarism, and nationalism on state formation; the consequences of ethnic, sectarian and ideological conflict; and the impact of these issues on the region and U.S. security from 1914 to the present. The region is important for its geo-strategic location, energy resources, and propensity for weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and autocratic governance. All of these issues are flashpoints for U.S foreign and security policy interests. This course is meant to enhance your knowledge base as well as your ability to analyze these issues; understand them in their geographic, cultural, and historical context; and examine how policy was and is made towards this complex region.
IAFF 358.11 – The Politics of Syria and Lebanon
Jouejati
M 5:10PM-7:00PM
Spring 2008 Syllabus
This course will explore the inextricable link between Syria and Lebanon from the time these territories were a common part of the Ottoman Empire until the present. In the process, the course focuses on the different political and economic trajectories they followed upon gaining independence; the domestic and external sources of their respective foreign policies; Lebanon’s slide towards civil war in 1975 and Syria’s intervention to end it; the politics of Syria’s domination of, and ultimately, withdrawal from Lebanon
IAFF 358.12- The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict
Friedman
T 5:10PM-7:00PM
This course is a multi-faceted, in-depth examination of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It discusses key issues in the conflict, presents different historical narratives, and examines the conflict from an interdisciplinary perspective. The course looks at the sources of the conflict and its dynamics over time, applying to the analysis relevant theories about conflict and conflict resolution. While we will discuss the role of the US and its policies in the region, our primary focus will be on looking at the conflict from the vantage point of Palestinians and Israelis living it. In addition to presentations by the professor and class discussions, the course will include a number of films and presentations by guest speakers.
IAFF 358.13 – Saudi Arabia in the 21st Century
Ghenm & Yaphe
R 5:10PM-7:00PM
This course will identify key themes and issues in Arabian history, politics, culture, economics, and strategic relations with its neighbors in the Gulf region and the international community. The course will focus on the Saudi version of Islamic governance and the key political issues between Saudis and the U.S. In addition, the role of the religious institution will be examined as well as economic issues such as the oil and non-oil sectors and how the Saudi kingdom is preparing for life after oil.
CLAS 101.10 - Modern Hebrew Literary Classics
Ticktin
TR 12:45PM-2:00PM
CLAS 103.10 - Arab Film and Culture
Esseesy
TR 11:10AM-12:25PM
This course is as much a study of the Arab cinema as an institution and industry whose product is film, as it is a study of the Arab culture represented in the film itself. In covering such massive ground, this course studies the Arab cinema from a historical perspective and analyzes film genres along with cinematic themes.
It is expected that students in this class would develop an understanding of the origins and development of Arab national cinema; successfully read and interpret the film for its artistic and cultural value; and develop an understanding of patterns, codes and conventions in cinematic expression of culture across time and space
CLAS 105.12 - Post Colonial Readings in Modern Arabic Literature
Al Dubbati
TR 2:20PM-3:35PM
dubbati@gwu.edu
Course open to graduate, undergraduate, and non-degree students
The main focus of the course will be the literary and cinematic representation of gender and sexuality in the context of defining individual nationalisms in Arab countries. The selected texts and movies will shed light on the ways in which Arab writers and moviemakers dealt with postcolonial themes, such as the nationalization of political and cultural identities and gender. We will examine the effects of European colonialism on the social structures of Arab societies and the development of nationalisms.
We will look at the representation of the Arab woman and her sexuality as the contentious site of conflicting forces of self-definition and identification and the struggle between nation-state reality and the nostalgia for pre-colonial pan-Arabism. The course will also explore the ways in which the nationalization of the female body and the family have complicated the division between private and public spheres.
CLAS 105. 13 - Introduction to Arabic Translation
M 12:45PM-2:00PM and W 12:45PM-2:00PM
CLAS 118.80 - History of Ancient Israel
Cline
TR 2:20PM-3:35PM
Geography 250: Geographical Perspectives on Development
Atia
W 5:10PM-7:00PM
This course discusses the multiple, nonlinear paths of socio-spatial change taking place under the auspices of Development. The aim of the seminar is to provide a comprehensive understanding and critical reading of contemporary theories, discourses, paradigms and policies of development followed by an in-depth discussion of specific practices of development in various locales. We will trace the history of development as a post-war international project and the various theories of development that have been implemented largely by international institutions over the past several decades. In addition, we will address the current neoliberal orthodoxy regarding development practices and the subsequent critiques posited by critical development studies and post-development scholars. Using specific cases studies from across the Global South, we will discuss specific themes such as gender, sustainability, agrarian transformation, urbanization, grassroots development and civil society.