History 262 Block 2, 1997-98

Robert D. Lee

The Middle East and the West

The principal objectives of this course are five:

• To stimulate critical thinking about historical issues, about the impact of culture on historical change, about the impact of events on culture, and about the nature of history as a record of the past.



• To foster a broad, empathetic understanding of Middle Eastern culture in a period marked by aggressive European intervention and eventual European disengagement, however incomplete.

• To make linkages between so-called Western and non-Western history.

• To encourage the development of basic skills in writing and discussion.

• To prepare students to think about contemporary problems in the Middle East.

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Required Reading:

William L. Cleveland, A History of the Modern Middle East(Boulder: Westview, 1994.)

Naguib Mahfouz, Midaq Alley (London: Heineman, 1975.)

Al-Jabarti's Chronicle of the French Occupation: Napoleon in Egypt (Princeton: Marcus Weiner, 1995).

Roy Mottahedeh, The Mantle of the Prophet (New York: Pantheon, 1986).

Sati al-Husri, The Day of Maysalun (Washington: Middle East Institute, 1966.

Assignments:

1. Short essay, 4 to 6 pages, comparing the two accounts of Napoleon's invasion of Egypt and reflecting on some or all of these questions: Are these truthful accounts? Is it possible to reconcile these versions of events? Is a modern version--Cleveland's, for example--superior in truth value? Is it possible to extract history from the cultural setting of the writer? From the moral and ethical perspective of the writer? Due 4 p.m. Friday, October 3. 20%

2. Very short essay, 1 to 2 pages: Pick one of the following themes and try to discern Mahfouz's position in Midaq Alley on 1) tradition OR 2) modernity OR3) Islam. Another way to think about it: list what Mahfouz sees as strengths and weakness of tradition, modernity, or Islam (BUT NOT ALL THREE, please.) Due at class time Thursday, October 9. 10%

3. Longer essay, 6 to 8 pages on either. Either of the following options may be undertaken by an individual or by a group of four or fewer persons. Due Monday, October 20, 4 p.m. 25%

A. How did the revolution in Iran come to produce an Islamic state? Based on a careful reading of Mottahedeh.

B. Essay of similar length on another topic, which must have prior approval and must see to answer an historical question. To be based on library research. Undertake this option only in close consultation with me. An essay on a topic I have not approved well in advance will not be accepted. I can help with topic selection and identification of sources.

4. Final examination. Three hours. Wednesday morning, October 22. Will include some identification of important names, places, events, concepts as well as longer essays. 25%

5. Class discussion. Consistent attendance, preparation, and participation are essential. The quality of the participation takes precedence over quantity. Sometimes a simple, "That is right," constitutes an important contribution. Think not about having some magic, wonderful, complete answer. Think, instead, about contributing pieces of logic and information that can help us construct an answer to complicated questions. Think about helping others to understand the question and you may find that you help yourself even more. 20%.

The Honor Code applies to all work in this course. Please ask me if you have questions about how it applies to specific assignments.

Robert D. Lee

Office: 065A Tutt Library (Teaching and Learning Center)

Phone Office: 389-6590, Home: 636-2185

Office Hours: Most afternoons, 1-3.