Fall 2003

MES 323K • ARAB-ISRAELI POLITICS

Course Description

This is a course about politics and clashing value systems, not history, but first you will need to learn the history and learn why you are learning the historical facts that are presented. You will also discover that "Arab-Israeli" politics really involves several levels: 1) conflicts between Arabs and Israelis in Palestine/Israel, 2) conflicts between the state of Israel and various Arab states in the region, 3) conflicts, muted since the end of the Cold War but still present, between powerful states outside the region who are sucked into the first two sets of conflicts, 4) conflicts within the American community over the nature of our commitment to Israel and how to reconcile it with other national interests, 5) conflicts within the Israeli body politic over relationships with their Arab neighbors, and 6) conflicts between Arab states and within the various Palestinian communities over their relationships with Israel. This course is designed to enhance your understanding of these domestic, regional, and international factors in the "Arab-Israeli" conflict. You will learn by representing a major actor in a four-week simulation of Middle Eastern diplomacy.

Grading Policy

Midterm 20% Role Profile Paper 10% Annotated bibliography 10% Game participation 10% Debriefing paper 10% Class Participation 10% (includes computer "chat" participation) Identifications Test 15% Final take-home essay 15%

Texts

Charles D. Smith, Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict 4th edition (St. Martin’s Press, 2000) Baylis Thomas, How Israel Was Won (NY: Lexington, 1999)

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