History 3220

History of the Modern Middle East

Course Description:

In this course, we will examine political, social, cultural and religious change in the 19th and 20th century Middle East.  The destruction of the Ottoman Empire, the encroachment and imperialism of Western powers, and the changing economic interactions of the modern age all transformed the Middle East, bringing into existence new states, new approaches to Islam and new social relations.  Books used for the course include a basic textbook and several scholarly and journalistic monographs. There are also reserve readings, which you will find on-line, as well as in the library. The course format includes lecture and discussion.  The basic prerequisite is that you have already taken some college-level writing course.

Student responsibilities and grading:

Grades for this course will be based on four quizzes (20%), a mid-term exam (25%) and a final exam (25%), and submission of six sets of discussion questions via ecompanion (%30).  Participation in class discussions is important: fulfilling this responsibility means preparing for discussion by reading the assigned materials and thinking about them, attending class, and volunteering to talk.  Attendance is expected; more than four absences will have a detrimental effect on one's learning and one's grades.

If you have a conflict with scheduled quizzes or the midterm, notify me ahead of time to arrange a different time.

Assignments:  (full descriptions of these assignments will be added during the course of the semester.  Papers are due by the dates indicated below.  Do not ask for an extension.  If the due date conflicts with other matters in your life, write the paper for this class early.  Each assignment will be fully available weeks in advance of the due date.)

Study/discussion questions will be posted each week on ecompanion, and need to be submitted via the drop box function by the time and date stated in ecompanion.  For an A in this section of your grade, you will need to submit answers to three sets of questions before the midterm, and three sets of questions after the midterm.  Answers that demonstrate that you have done the assigned reading and given it serious thought earn full credit.  If you prepare your study questions well, they will serve you well as notes when you prepare for an exam.

Quizzes:  there will be four in-class quizzes, two on maps and two on names and terms.

Mid-term exam:  There are two parts to the mid-term exam.  The first part is an in-class test over maps, names, and terms, in multiple choice format.  The second part is a take-home essay (750 words) for which you can use your notes, books, etc.  Instructions will be found on ecompanion. You should submit your paper through ecompanion, using document sharing.  This means you need to save your file in some form, and then attach it to the message that you send me via email.  Regardless what word-processing package you use, save your file either in as an MSWord document or an RTF document before sending it.  Information on how to footnote.  Sample grading form.

Final Exam:  The final exam will also have two parts, an in-class multiple choice exam on maps, names, and terms, and a take-home essay.  The essay portion of the exam will be available to you well before the end of the term.  Instructions will be found on e-companion.

Grading scale:  A=91-100; B=81-90; C=71-80; D=61-70; F=60 and below.  [Note that with this scale, turning in a bad paper for an F is still far better than not turning it in and earning a zero.] 

What do these grades really mean?

An "A" essay is one that is well-written and organized, has a substantial and interesting thesis, demonstrates strong argumentation, is well backed by the proper use of evidence, gets facts right, and displays originality of thought and interpretation.  An "A" exam (exams are mainly essay-based) is similar.  An "A" is earned in discussion by demonstrating knowledge of the assigned reading materials and substantial thought about those materials, and by interacting productively with the thoughts, ideas and questions of one's classmates.

A "B" essay is one that is lacking in one or two of the qualities above:  perhaps it is well-written and organized, displays originality of thought, and uses good evidence, but does not have very strong argumentation.  A "B" is earned in discussion by demonstrating a good knowledge of the assigned reading materials, and by interacting productively with the ideas of one's classmates.

A "C" essay is one that fulfills the assigned task, but may have problems with writing and organization, or may be lacking in evidence.  A "C" is earned in discussion by participating productively even while showing that one has not read the assigned readings thoroughly.

A "D" essay is one that partially fulfills the assigned task, but has substantial problems, such as the lack of a thesis, or poor writing and organization.  There may be an opportunity for re-writing an essay that earns a "D", if that essay is the first one of the semester, and at the discretion of the instructor.  A "D" is earned in discussion by showing up, warming a seat, and saying one thing.

An "F" essay is one that does not fulfill the assigned task.  There may be an opportunity for re-writing an essay that earns an "F", if that essay is the first one of the semester, and at the discretion of the instructor.  Absence from discussion earns a grade of zero.  A zero in discussion may be made up through submission by email of a substantial discussion of one's thoughts about the assigned reading (minimum 500 words), at the discretion of the instructor.

Instructor responsibilities:

I will be available by email at most times of the day, and in person during office hours.  I will return papers and exams within one week of their submission.