Spring Semester 2003
Dr. James Zogby
Office Hours: Wednesday, 10:00-12:00 and 2:00-4:00.
The U.S. and the Arab-Israeli Conflict
An examination of the roots and evolution of this conflict through the eyes of its participants (i.e., as the conflict has been understood by Arabs, Israelis, and Americans)
This examination will begin with discussion of:
· What does it mean to “do history?”
· The role played by our view of history in shaping our response to events.
This examination will then survey major developments in the Middle East as they have been understood by the competing “histories” of the key participants:
1. Pre-modern history: Judaism, Christianity and Islam as “histories,” from origins to the 19th century.
2. Pre-and Post-World War I: The new “histories”: “nationalisms” (Jewish and Arab) and imperialism.
3. Palestine and the Arab East between the two wars: Direct contact and conflict of the competing participants.
4. From the 1948 war to the 1967 war: The simultaneous creations of Israel and Palestine, and their impacts on each other.
-how the parties were transformed; how they defined themselves and each other.
5. From the 1967 war to Camp David: The further transformation of Arabs and Israelis and the new American role.
6. Critical developments from Camp David to the post-Gulf War Madrid Peace Conference.
7. The 1990s: A decade in search of peace: How various elements within each of the competing parties (Israeli, Palestinian, Arab States and the US) viewed the Oslo peace process, and how they contributed to or complicated this effort at a resolution of the conflict.
8. The competing forces at work in today’s conflict: The role of US, Israeli and Arab extremist ideologies, and how their views of history shape their actions in the current crisis.
9. Where do we go from here?
Peace Process by William Quandt
History and Evolution of the Palestine Problem, United Nations
A History of Israel, by Howard Sachar
A History of the Arab Peoples, by Albert Hourani
The Middle East: A Century of Conflict, by NPR
1. We will discuss the variety of primary and secondary source material that is available on the internet:
For example, www.cnn.com has an excellent site that focuses on the Middle East conflict and provides links to most official Israeli, Arab, US and UN sites. Of special importance is the UN site that provides an extensive set of documents related to the Palestine Question going back to 1917. Other networks that have similar sites include the BBC and NPR.
2. There are a number of Israeli and Arab newspapers that publish in English and are available on the internet. Among these are:
a. Israeli: Ha’aretz, Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Report
b. Palestinian: Palestine Report, Palestine Monitor
c. Arab World: Beirut Daily Star, Jordan Times, Gulf News, Arab News, al-Ahram Weekly
3. A number of US advocacy groups also have sites that provide useful, primary and secondary source material:
a. AIPAC (American Israel Political Affairs Committee)
b. APN (American for Peace Now)
c. IPF (Israeli Policy Forum)
d. AAI (Arab American Institute)
e. ADC (American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee)
f. Search for Common Ground
g. Gulf Wire
h. Foundation for Middle East Peace
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1. One 15-20 page research paper on an approved topic:
· Utilizing primary source material
· Outlining competing cases made by participants to the conflict, regarding a specific and defining problem or issue from the pre-Oslo period.
e.g.: Jewish immigration during the Mandate as seen by British, Jewish and Arab sources; or, the question of the status, rights of Palestinian Refuges of 1948; or Israeli settlements in 1967 occupied lands; or terrorism as viewed by all sides; etc.
2. An in-class discussion of an Oslo Peace process-related issue (e.g., settlements, borders, refugees, etc.) as understood by the various parties.
· Discussion will be structured as per instruction to be given later in the semester;
· Positions will be supported by a 10-page paper to be submitted by each discussant.
Notes:
A. The first paper will be due on Tuesday, March 18, 2003 by the beginning of class. You should have selected a topic and discussed available material with me by Tuesday, February 25, 2003.
B. The second paper/presentation will be due between April 24 and May 6. Topics should be selected and approved by Thursday, April 3, 2003.
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Grading will be determined as follows:
A. 50% of the total grade: 15-20 research paper
· Grade will be based on effectiveness of arguments; use of source material; clarity of presentation.
B. 40% of total grade: Oslo Peace Process project
· Grade will be based on effectiveness of arguments; use of source material; clarity of presentation
C. 10% of total grade: Overall grasp of materials as established in class participation and discussion.