Global Studies 118
Global Studies 118:
Global Studies Through the Window of the Middle East
James W. Aageson
Spring Semester 2008
T. Th. 10:3-12:10
Office Hours:
Monday and Wednesday 10:30-11:30
Tuesday 1:30-2:30
e-mail: aageson@cord.edu
And by appointment
Description:
This interdisciplinary course examines forms and sources of diversity and fragmentation, including individual and group cultural identities and beliefs. Diverse cultural traditions and expressions of belief will be explored as both sources of conflict and resources for addressing global problems. This expression of the course will consider larger global issues from the perspective of the Middle East. Pressing contemporary issues in the Middle East will be investigated to see how they affect our understanding of contemporary global issues in that region and beyond. Among the important issues are the historical and social contexts of the various societies, political developments and problems, religion, media, war and the threat of war, globalization, westernization, and economics. The course will examine the way these affect issues of diversity, fragmentation, cultural identity, local traditions, beliefs, and conflicts. The course will be conducted as a seminar.
Course Objectives:
1. to develop conceptual tools for textual, historical, and comparative analysis in a global framework that emphasizes multiple perspectives and the roles they play in conflict resolution.
2. to explore different worldviews by understanding the historical and psychological perceptions of self and others that contribute to the construction of identity
3. to learn and relate the knowledge of a particular part of the world to global trends and issues
4. to examine how values, beliefs, art and traditions inform each other and shape individual group identity and guide behavior.
5. to examine the pervasive power of religious beliefs and traditions on the shaping of cultural identities and the creation of both conflict and conflict resolution.
6. to explore the interactions of peoples, cultures, economies, and polities in order to identify both sources of conflict and resources for addressing global problems.
7. to conceptualize relations between power and institutions as mediators of human expectations
8. to stimulate a dialogue of understanding by drawing linkages with critical discourse on such issues as colonialism, feminism, ecology, and racism.
Course Requirements and Objectives:
- Class attendance and participation in class discussion will count for 15% of the final grade. Since discussion and conversation are integral to the way we study, think, and learn in this course, a significant portion of the final grade will depend on the contributions you make to others and your receptivity to the contributions others make to you. Prepare for class every day, and come to class each Tuesday with a conceptual question (this should be written out in the form of a short paragraph) that arises from your reading and thinking and reflecting on the daily assignments. In class, be prepared to ask and to respond to questions and to engage in critical discussion. After class, you may develop ideas that had eluded you before; you are encouraged to contribute your new thoughts to the next discussion.
- A research paper of 3000-3500 words will count for 30% of the final grade. Further requirements for this major paper are provided under Paper Assignment below.
- Each student will be required to select a country from the Middle East and to monitor each day at least one major non-American internet news source from or pertaining to that country for current information about the region. Students will be expected to bring an item(s) periodically to share with the class. Your news source must be approved by the Professor, and your participation in this exercise will count for 10% of the final grade. You should run out the article and make a brief outline of the substance of the article. These will be collected.
- Two take home exams will be given and will count for 20% and 25% of the final grade respectively.
- Students are to be guided by the highest expressions of academic integrity in completing course requirements. These expectations are set forth in Academic Integrity at Concordia College. Students who show disregard for academic integrity and are detected should expect to be penalized by receiving a failing grade (in such cases, a make-up is not possible). Each violation of academic integrity will be reported to the Academic Dean's Office and the offender will be placed on probationary status for one year. Violations of academic integrity are defined in Academic integrity at Concordia College, pp 11-13 and should be carefully studied. These definitions were developed in a North American context. Other cultures define forms of academic dishonesty differently. International students studying at Concordia, however, should follow standards established by the college. Any student who is unclear about the application of these norms in the completion of a particular assignment should consult the professor.
- Because some classroom behaviors disrupt or impede the learning process as well as display disrespect for others, during class time you are asked to refrain from engaging in private conversations, reading materials that are not related to this class, eating, taking short (or long) naps, reading newspapers or doing assignments for other classes, and leaving trash behind. If you must be late for class or leave early, be sure to take a seat near the door and practice care when entering or exiting. Absences, of course, deprive other of contribution you could make and will lower your grade; should a campus activity or personal need require your absence from class, be sure to make your request for excused absences in writing and in advance (if possible) of the absence.
- Feel free to visit your professor outside class during office hours or by special appointment. The materials of the course are demanding and the issues and ideas discussed are challenging. Particularly if the class is not going well for you in some way or other, be sure to consult your professor-but also feel free to stop by for further discussion of ideas or "just to talk!"
- Regarding grades for classroom participation and sharing of news items, consider the following guidelines
A= Well-prepared for discussion and able to refer to the text when making points in class. Plays an active role in class discussion, frequently initiating a question or a subject for discussion. Displays engaged and critical thinking. Respectful of others, and willing to disagree politely with somebody else's point of view. Sometimes asks others what they think about a certain point. Contributes often, but does not dominate the discussion. Listens attentively and responds to other' comments.
B= Comes to class prepared (having completed the assigned reading) and is able to refer to the text to make or illustrate a point. Makes some contributions to class discussion, but often relies on others to initiate conversation. Listens attentively and is respectful of others. Tends not to bring up points of disagreement or controversy.
C= Usually comes to class prepared. Usually brings daily questions comments to class, but rarely presents them for discussion without prompting. Speaks occasionally in class, sometimes connecting comments to the text. Listens politely to others, but most frequently falls into a passive mode of participation, letting others carry the bulk of the conversation.
D= Often comes to class unprepared (not having read assigned text), and therefore cannot contribute in any meaningful way to the conversation. Speaks only when called upon, and sometimes has private conversation in class with others, which detracts from the overall class discussion.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are concerned that you are doing poorly, you should talk to me immediately and I will give you an assessment of your performance as well as suggestions for improvement.
Course books:
Contending Visions of the Middle East Zachary Lockman
A Thousand Splendid Suns Khaled Hosseini
The Shia Revival Vali Nasr
War is a Force that Gives us Meaning Chris Hedges
Other essays and materials as assigned
Paper and Presentation Assignments:
Research Project
1. You should select a Middle Eastern country and an issue current in that Middle Eastern country you will investigate. Students should select a country and an issue they are interested in and wish to learn more about. Consult with the instructor regarding your topic. The paper and the research should address and build upon the kinds of issues identified above under the course objectives.
2. In the course of investigating and researching the topic, you shall develop an argument you wish to make about the country or issue. This argument enables the project to move beyond the mere presentation of information. It will assist in helping you know what material you need to include and what material you can exclude from your projects and papers. The argument will be your unique contribution to the topic.
3. In the course of investigating the material, you shall refine your argument, and shall state your argument in the form of a thesis statement. The thesis statement shall be typed on a single sheet of paper and included, following the title page of a final copy of the research paper. Papers without a thesis statement page will be lowered two letter grades.
4. The papers should contain a clearly written introduction and conclusion. The introduction should contain everything that the reader will need to follow the discussion (e.g., method of analysis, particulars of arrangement and development). The conclusion should draw together the things that have been learned from the study and where further study might lead. The body of the paper must establish and support the thesis.
5. All papers shall be typed (12 point Times New Roman font size shall be used), double-spaced, fully annotated, and paginated. It is expected that all papers will be well written. There is no such thing as a good paper poorly written. The writing of a good paper requires that an outline be developed before the writing begins and that the paper under-goes several drafts before the final paper is submitted. All students are encouraged to go to the reading- writing center (Academy 303) for assistance and critique of their work.
6. The style of the papers should conform to the Chicago Manual of Style which can be found at http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocChicago.html. Kate Turabian has written a book entitled A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations that is also based on the Chicago Manual.
7. All papers shall have a bibliography. This bibliography should have at least 12 sources This bibliography should include both books and articles. Not all of the works cited in the bibliography need to be cited in the notes, but if they are included in the bibliography they should have been formative in the shaping of the project. The papers should be from 3000-3500 words in length.
Course Outline:
Worldview
Week 1: January 8
Introduction to the course
Week 2: January 15 & 17
Identification of country focus, media sources, and web sites
(each person will share what they have found)
Islam and the West-Discussion and lecture
Read: Lockman, pp. 1-65
Week 3: January 22 & 24
Orientalism and Empire-Discussion and lecture
Read: Lockman, pp. 66-98
Week 4: January 27 & 29
The American century and beyond-Discussion and lecture
Read: Lockman, pp. 99-181
Week 5: February 5 & 7
Edward Said and Orientalism-Discussion and lecture
Read: Lockman, pp. 182-267
Week 6: February 12 & 14
Summary, Reflection, and the Middle East in the media
Hand out take home exam # 1 (Return February 21)
Women
Week 7: February 19 & 21
Afghan women---Discussion
Read: Hosseini, pp. 3-182
Week 8: March 4 & 6
Afghan women---Discussion
Read: Hosseini, pp. 183-372
(Attend the Nobel Peach Prize Forum on March 7-8. An assignment
will be announced when the forum schedule is finalized)
Week 9: March 11 & 13
Afghan women---Discussion
Film: Osama
Summary, Reflection, and the Middle East in the media
Worship
Week 10: March 18
The Shia Revival---Discussion and Lecture
Read: Nasr, pp. 17-145
Film: The Story of Islam
Week 11: March 25 & 27
The Battle for the Middle East---Discussion and lecture
Read: Nasr, pp. 147-254
Week 12: April 1 & 3
Religion as a factor in the world---Discussion and lecture
Read: http://www.economist.com/specialreports/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10015255
All sections of the Economist special report
An Open Letter and Call from Muslim Religious Leaders
http://www.acommonword.com/lib/downloads/CW-Total-Final-v-12g-Eng-9-10-07.pdf
Summary and reflection
War
Week 13: April 8 & 10
The Myth of War---Discussion
Read: Hedges, pp. 1-82
Research paper Due April 10
Week 14: April 15 & 17
The Hijacking and Recovery of Memory---Discussion
Read: Hedges, pp. 83-199
Hand out take home exam #2 (Return Wednesday, April 30)
Week 15: April 22 & 24
War and it ravages---Discussion
Film: Paradise Now
Summary and Review
JAMES W. AAGESON
