Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   History of the Modern Middle East: D

 Title Abbreviation:   MODERN MIDDLE EAST: D

 Department:    HIST

 Course #:    242

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5

 CIP:    540101

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

With a particular emphasis on the effects of imperialism and colonialism, this course explores the social, political, and cultural changes that have occurred in the Middle East during the past two centuries, reflecting on the history of the region and the connection to present conflicts.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Completed ENGL& 101 with a grade of 2.0 or higher.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 55

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Social Sciences  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
UW HIST263 The Modern Middle East (5) I&S Lopez Explores the social, political, and cultural changes that have occurred in the Middle East during the past two centuries. Covers the main social, economic, and intellectual currents that have transformed this region, starting with Napoleon's conquest of Egypt in 1798 and ending with the present moment in history. Offered: Sp.
WSU HIST272 Introduction to Middle Eastern History 3 History of the Middle East from Muhammad to the present; political and religious development and the impact of empires.
WWU HIST287 Introduction to Islamic civilization: A thematic approach to religious and cultural aspects of Middle Eastern society; the development of Islam as a body of religious thought and practice; and major cultural movements in the Middle East.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. identify and understand the historic origins of the political, religious, and cultural conflicts that exist in the Middle East today.
  2. define the terms associated with study of the Middle East.
  3. exercise a workable knowledge of the geography of the Middle East
  4. clarify and connect the history of the region to its broader impact on contemporary events.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

0. Application and Integration

Definition: Applying information from one or more disciplines and/or field experiences in new contexts (Outcome 0.1); developing integrated approaches or responses to personal, academic, professional, and social issues (Outcomes 0.2-0.5).

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
0.3 Identify and evaluate the relationships among different perspectives within a field of study and among different fields of study.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.1 Determine the extent of information needed.
1.2 Access the needed information effectively, efficiently, ethically, and legally.
1.3 Evaluate information and its sources critically.
1.4 Evaluate issues (for example economic, legal, historic, social) surrounding the use of information.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.
2.2 Analyze issues and develop questions within a discipline.
2.3 Identify, interpret, and evaluate pertinent data and previous experience to reach conclusions.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.1 Recognize, read, and comprehend academic and/or professional writing.
3.2 Recognize, produce and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal, group, and public speaking skills.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and issues associated with the diverse perspectives of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, and culture.
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.
4.3 Understand the historically and socially constructed nature of—and the meanings attributed to—human differences.

5. Global & Local Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding the complexity and interdependence of, and stewardship responsibilities to, local and global communities and environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
5.2 Identify diverse communities and their shared/competing interests and develop strategies for prevention and resolution of conflict.
5.3 Understand the consequences of choices as they relate to local/global community and environmental issues.

6. Individual Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding, managing, and taking responsibility for one’s learning and behavior in varied and changing environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
6.4 Use self-reflection to recognize and define a sense of self-identity in personal, social/gender, and/or cultural/global terms and in relationship to others.

Course Contents

  1. General Introduction and Overview of the Geography and History of the modern Middle East.
  2. Understanding Islam
  3. Turkey and Kurds-Trouble in the Hood
  4. Iraq, A fragmented Society
  5. Egypt and Saudi Arabia-Rich and Poor
  6. The Gulf States-Oil Kingdoms
  7. Syria, Jordan, Lebanon
  8. Palestine and Israel-Brothers at Odds
  9. Iran-Persia on the Rise
  10. The Middle East Today