Fall 2005

GOV 312L • Issues and Policies in American Government

Course Description

Fulfills second half of legislative requirement for government. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. May be taken for credit only once. Does US policy in the Middle East promote stability or does it result in more regional and global conflict? This is a course about intervention, conflict, and crisis in the Middle East and the consequences of US policy on the region's most pressing problems. Proper understanding and evaluation of policy require familiarity with the Middle East. Toward this students will learn the history of the region. The course will then shift focus to particular themes such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, nation-building in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the politics of oil.

Grading Policy

2 Midterms: 25% each 2 Papers: 25% each (2-3 pages each)

Texts

Gerner, Understanding the Contemporary Middle East. Shlaim, Iron Wall. Gaddis, J.L., Surprise, Security and the American Experience.

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