History 244, History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, assesses the origins, dynamics, and amazing, chameleon-like persistence of this confrontation. How did Arab-Zionist rivalry begin? Why have neither peace efforts nor wars produced a stable solution? What arguments does each use to justify its position? Where is the conflict headed?
We welcome students who know nothing at all about the conflict as well as those who already have some knowledge. The course considers a variety of views— pro-Palestinian, pro-Israeli, neutral—in sympathetic fashion. It invites dialogue between people of different backgrounds, and presents readings by diverse authors. The goal is not to indoctrinate, not to impose an official narrative, but to have students develop their own perspectives based on informed understandings. This open-ended, sympathetic atmosphere usually makes this course the most popular in the History Department and one of the most popular in the university.
History 244 includes movies and power point pictures. All readings are on-line. There are no books to buy.
Course Requirements:
One midterm, one final, entirely optional paper
Intended Audience:
Everyone is welcome, first-year students to seniors, history majors and students who have never taken a history course
Class Format:
Two weekly lectures and a once-weekly section. All lectures will be taped, so if you cannot attend in person, you are welcome to view lectures online. Section schedules may also be arranged.