This course is an introduction to the historical evolution of the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa from the birth of Islam to the 1st World War, to the consequences of the peace of Versailles to the “Arab Springâ€ù. Students will be introduced to the religious, legal and political principles of the Islamic religion and their importance in the development of the Middle East. Particular emphasis will be put on the birth and development of Shiism and other minor sects of Islam. The Ottoman Empire its ascent and decadence will be studied along with the social, economic and political effects of the encounter with the “Modernityâ€ù . The contemporary world will be studied from a historical perspective with an in depth analysis of Versailles as the “Peace to end all Peaceâ€ù. The course will continue with an examination of the place of the Middle Eastern system of states in the world, how it fares, how did it get where it is today and how do global trends intrude into the region. The role of Islam in both international and domestic politics will be considered with special attention given to the historical tradition of Islam as a political movement and as an identity expression.
The other main Political movements of 20th century will be presented with particular emphasis on Arab Nationalism, Sionism, Baathism. The course will be concluded by an analysis of the Historical roots of the revolts of the so-called “Arab Springâ€ù.