HISTORY OF MIDDLE EAST

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

LET005

Academic Year of enrolment:

2019

Year of supply:

2021/2022

Type of Course:

Related/Supplementary

Degree:

Course of 1st Cycle Degree in HUMANITIES

Disciplinary Sector:

CONTEMPORARY HISTORY

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

PIZZO Paola

Cycle:

First semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

108

Prerequisites:

Genaral knowledge of contemporary history

Objectives

The teaching contributes to the learning objectives of the Degree course, in particular it promotes a solid awareness of the theoretical bases and methodological tools inherent in historical discipline, bibliographic research and source analysis. The course provides the tools to understand the evolution of historical phenomena through the research and analysis of sources, with particular attention to the religious dimension of the Muslim world and its relations with the European world and with other monotheistic religions, according to the following lines:
Knowledge and understanding:
To foster the acquisition of skills in understanding the phenomena through the critical use of the fundamental tools of historiographical research: bibliographic research, classification and analysis of historical sources, with specific reference to the Muslim world.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
Develop the attitude to an interdisciplinary approach in organization, management and presentation of the skills of analysis and historiographical research acquired during the course.
Develop the attitude of establishing connection with European and global history.
Ability to analyze and contextualize the reference texts of Muslim history, from the Qur'an to the classical and modern tradition.
Independence of judgement
The course prepares to set up and perform autonomously, also with the use of new technologies, bibliographic research or field research useful to form a base of primary and secondary historical sources related to Islamic history and to be able to elaborate and interpret such sources in a critical way, identifying problems and scientific, social, ethical and religious implications.

Communications skills
the course prepares to adequately and consistently express the results of the study and the analysis of the sources both in oral and written form.
Learning ability
the course prepares to acquire a solid method of research and in-depth study that allows the continuation of studies and the autonomy of further study and research activities.

Contents

History of the Middle East.
This course is aimed at providing students with knowledge of the main lines of development of Middle Eastern history and at deepening the transformations undergone by the region in the period between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of 21st century.
At the end of the course, students will have acquired the theoretical and methodological tools to orient themselves in understanding the historical events of Middle Eastern countries according to the different critical approaches proposed by historiography and will be able to apply these tools to the analysis of the contemporary situation of this region, grasping the roots of instability and persistent conflicts.

Some insights of the course will be dedicated to the following topics:
1. Fundamentals of Muslim religion and civilization.
2. History of Islamic civilization in the Middle East in relation to the other civilizations present in the area, with particular attention to the relations among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
3. Relationship between faith and politics in Islamic civilization. Caliphate and national state between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
4. Origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
5. Gender issue in the Middle East.

Extended Syllabus

The Middle East History course is aimed at providing students with knowledge of the main lines of development of Middle Eastern history and at deepening the transformations undergone by the region in the period between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of 21st century.
At the end of the course, students will have acquired the theoretical and methodological tools to orient themselves in understanding the historical events of Middle Eastern countries according to the different critical approaches proposed by historiography and will be able to apply these tools to the analysis of the contemporary situation of this region, grasping the roots of instability and persistent conflicts.

Reference books:
Basic study module (6 CFU):
1. Carole Hillenbrand, Introduction to Islam: Beliefs and Practices in Historical Perspective, Thames & Hudson, 2015
2. Thomas G. Fraser, The Arab-Israeli Conflict, Red Globe Press
For in-depth study module (3 CFU) students should choose one of the following books:
1. Massimo Campanini, Storia del Medio Oriente contemporaneo, il Mulino
2. Gilles Kepel, Uscire dal caos. La crisi nel Mediterraneo e nel Medio Oriente, R. Cortina
3. Paola Pizzo, Islam nel Mediterraneo, Carabba
Suggested texts for personal readings:
Amin Maalouf, The Crusades Through Arab Eyes, Saqi Books, 2012.

Recommended Bibliography

Reference books:
Basic study module (6 CFU):
1. Carole Hillenbrand, Introduction to Islam: Beliefs and Practices in Historical Perspective, Thames & Hudson, 2015
2. Thomas G. Fraser, The Arab-Israeli Conflict, Red Globe Press
For in-depth study module (3 CFU) students should choose one of the following books:
1. Gilles Kepel, Away from Chaos: The Middle East and the Challenge to the West, Columbia University Press
2. Eugene Rogan, The Arabs: A History, Basic Books
3. David Fromlin, A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East, Holt Paperbacks

Suggested texts for personal readings:
Amin Maalouf, The Crusades Through Arab Eyes, Saqi Books, 2012.

Teaching Methods

Lectures; educational visits to archives, libraries and sites important to the discipline; exercises, group work, seminars with sector experts.

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The final assessment consists of an oral exam on the entire syllabus. The aim is to assess the students’ skills and in particular their understanding of the issues discussed during the course, their knowledge of the bibliography in the reading list, the correct command of the specific language as well as of critical and methodological abilities. The grading scale ranges from 1 to 30 with honours (cum laude): 1-17 fail, 18-21 sufficient, 22-24 fair, 25-27 good, 28-29 very good, 30-30 with honours (cum laude) excellent.

Contacts/More Information

The course will be held in the 1st semester.
The programme is the same for non-attending students.
Seminars will be held both in the first and second semester.

Students with disabilities are most welcome.
The teacher is available for guidance and tutoring for foreign students (English, French, Arabic languages)

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Aree