COURSE
OUTLINE
OXNARD COLLEGE
I. Course Identification and Justification:
A. Proposed course id: HIST R110 Banner title: History of the Middle East
Full title: Historyof the Middle East
Previous course id: HIST R110
Banner title: History of the Middle East
Full title: Historyof the Middle East
B. Reason(s) course is offered:
This course transfers to both the CSU and UC and provides general education credit in area B2 of Oxnard College's General Education pattern, area D6oftheCSU GE-Breadth pattern, and 4F of IGETC. This course is alsoone of the choices within area D of theAA-T in History.
C. Reason(s) for current outline revision:
Course Modification
II. Catalog Information:
A. Units: Current: 3.00
Previous: 3.00
B. Course Hours:
1. In-Class Contact Hours:
Lecture: 52.5 Activity: 0 Lab: 0
2. Total In-Class Contact Hours: 52.5 3. Total Outside-of-Class Hours: 105 4. Total Student Learning Hours: 157.5
C. Prerequisites,Corequisites, Advisories, and Limitations on Enrollment:
1. Prerequisites Current: Previous: 2. Corequisites Current: Previous: 3. Advisories: Current: Previous: 4. Limitationson Enrollment: Current: Previous: D. Catalog description: Current:
If the Middle East has become synonymouswith “conflict,” this course willreveal that the
historical developments of the region, which were always accompanied byconflict, have done much to shape the world in which we live. The Middle East gave rise to the first civilizations in
Sumerand Egypt; the mightyempires of Persia and Alexanderthe Great; and the monotheistic traditions ofJudaism, Christianity, and Islam. As a cultural crossroads and centerof learning,
the region facilitated the spreadofknowledge throughoutthe medieval Old World, while
inspiring would be conquerors like the Crusaders and Mongols. The riseof the Ottoman Empire
ledtoan early modern era ofstability in the region, until the Ottoman statefell into decline due
tothe pressures of Western imperialism and modernization. The “conflicts” of the past hundred years will also be explored in depth, including petro-politics, terrorism, Islamist movements, the struggle between Arabs and Israelis, andthe repeated diplomatic and military involvement of theAmericans in the region.
Previous, if different:
The historical developments in this strategic crossroad of culture and conquest in world history
are explored in this course. Religious, ideological, social, cultural, economic and political patterns are described beginning with the Classical Era Empires and focusing on several Islamic Empires and Civilizations. The impact of theWest from the Crusades totheIraq and Afghanistan Warsis studied along with the nationalist and radical responses toWestern
imperialism and modernization pressures. Persistentsources ofconflictsuch as the Arab-Israeli conflict, petro-politics and militantfundamentalism will be analyzed.
E. Fees:
Current: $ None
Previous, if different: $None F. Fieldtrips:
Current:
Will be required: [ ]
May be required: [X]
Will not be required: [ ]
Previous, if different: Will be required: [ ]
May be required: [ ]
Will not be required: [X]
G. Repeatability: Current:
A- Notdesigned as repeatable Previous:
H. Credit basis:
Current:
Lettergraded only[X]
Pass/no pass [ ] Student option [ ]
Previous, ifdifferent: Lettergraded only [ ]
Pass/no pass [ ] Student option [X]
I. Credit byexam: Current:
Petitions may begranted: [ ] Petitions willnot be granted: [X]
Previous, if different:
Petitions may begranted: [ ] Petitions willnot be granted: [ ]
III. Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the studentshould be able to:
A. Identify and describe significantgeographical anddemographic facts about theregion. B. List prominent, historicallydeveloped trade routes that pass through the region.
C. Describe the significantcharacteristics of the political organizations of the majorempires established intheregion.
D. Analyze the riseandspread of Islam throughoutthe regionfrom the 7th to 17th century, C.E.
E. Indicate the role of Islamic Civilization in the preservation and transmission ofclassical
knowledgeand culture to Europe and elsewhere.
F. Critique the policies and practicesof religious toleration and cultural synthesis implemented by leaders of Islamic Empires.
G. Listsignificant locations and activities ofEuropeans who came to the region starting in the 11th
century C.E., such as the Crusaders.
H. Analyze significantconsequences of European colonialism and imperialism in the region from the 18th through the 20th centuries.
I. Describe the rise of nationalism and nation states during the 19th and 20th centuries.
J. Analyze the military and political impact of wars such asWorld War I on the region. K. Explain the causes and continuing impactof the Arab-Israeli conflict.
L. Describe the cultural and political controversies overthe values of modernization since the 18th century.
M. Explain the goals and values of contemporary militant religious and politicalmovements from a historical perspective.
N. Demonstrate appropriate research and writing skills for a college historycourse
IV. Course Content:
Topics to be covered include, butare notlimited to:
A. Introduction to history and the geographyof the Middle East 1. Historical methodologies
2. Study the geographic, historical, and demographic mapsof the Middle East
B. The legacyof antiquity(the pre-Islamic Middle East) 1. Mesopotamia, Egypt and Persia
2. The impactofGreek and Roman Civilizations C. The rise of Islam and conquest
1. Mohammad
2. The controversyover religious authority and practice
3. Arab conquests andthe Caliphate 4. The developmentof Islamiccivilization
D. Externaland internal challenges 1. The Turks
2. The crusaders
3. New centers ofempire in Anatolia, Persia & Egypt 4. The Mongols
E. The Ottoman Empire and the West
1. The Ottoman Empire
2. Networks of trade and industryduring the Ottoman Empire 3. European imperialism and pressures for Westernization
4. The riseof nationalism and pan-Islamic responsesto imperialism
F. World WarI and its impact on government in the Middle East
1. World WarI and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire
2. New nation states: Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon 3. The struggle between modernization and traditionalism
G. World WarII and the post-war Middle East
1. World War II
2. The contest for Palestine and the creation of the Israeli State 3. Patterns of conflict, war and authoritarian government H. Oil, fundamentalism,and military interventions
1. The regional and global impacts of oil and OPEC
2. The sources and impact of the Iranian Revolution
3. The riseof Islamicfundamentalism intheory and practice 4. Military interventions bywestern governments
5. TheArab Spring
6. Reflections on the legacy and relevance of Middle East History
V. Lab Content:
VI. Methods of Instruction:
Methods may include, but are not limited to:
A. Lecture by theinstructorsuch as givingan explanation of the difference between the Sunni and
Shi’i views of religious authority.
B. Audio-visual presentation of a segment in the documentary, Islam: Empire of Faith, describing the establishmentof the Ottoman Empire.
C. Debate in class overa salient issue such asthe competing interpretations of the claims by
Palestinians and Israelisto the same land.
VII. Methods of Evaluation and Assignments:
A. Methods of evaluation for degree-applicable courses: Essays [X]
Problem-solving assignments (Examples: Math-like problems, diagnosis & repair) [ ] Physical skills demonstrations (Examples: Performing arts, equipment operation) [ ]
Forany course, if "Essays" above is not checked, explain why.
B. Typical graded assignments (methods of evaluation):
1. Midterm examination such as a question asking studentsto explain the policies of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire toward non-Islamiccommunities. Answers evaluated according to historical accuracy and analytical clarity.
2. Research paper such as one describing how one of the 20th centurystates in the
region came into existence. Paperevaluated according to historical accuracy, conceptual clarity, and plausibility of cause and effect propositions.
3. Class report on documents such asthose describing the proposed reforms of Mustafa
Kemal (Ataturk) for the new nation of Turkeyevaluated for historical accuracy and analytical relevance.
C. Typical outside ofclassroom assignments:
1. Reading
a. Weekly reading of assigned textbook chapters
b. Study and analysis of historical documents such as the Balfour Declaration and the Sykes Picot Agreement
c. Reading of first person accounts such as letters and diaries of Western visitors
tothe region
2. Writing
a. Homework assignmentsuch as report on the institutional and ritual practice of the FivePillars ofIslam
b. Research Paper such as a description of mathematical concepts and scientific methodologies developedby Islamicscholars and transmitted to Europeans 3. Other
a. Internet Research such as the study of articles and documents in the archives
maintained byCornell University library
b. Watching and evaluating documentaries for the purpose of writing a reviewor report and also for the purpose of supplementing the perspectives provided by the lectures and assignedreadings
VIII. Textbooks and Instructional Materials: A. Textbooks/Resources:
1. Goldschmidt, A., Davidson, L (2013). A Concise History of the Middle East (10/e). Westview Press.
2. Khater, A.F (2011). Sourcesin the Historyof the Modern Middle East (2/e). (Latest edition) Cengage.
3. Ochsenwald, W., Fisher,S.N (2011). The Middle East: A History (7/e). (Latest edition) McGraw-Hill.
B. Other instructional materials:
IX. Minimum Qualifications and Additional Certifications:
A. Minimum Qualifications:
1. History (Masters Required) B. Additional Certifications:
1. Description of certification requirement:
2. Name of statute, regulation, orlicensing/certification organization requiring this
certification:
X. Approval Dates
CC Approval Date: 12/10/2014 Board Approval Date: 12/10/2014 Course ID: 1686
