Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies

An overview of the field of international and global politics. The nation state, factors of power, collective security, international trade, regional and international organization, sources of conflict and convergence are addressed.

September 11 and its aftermath, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia and debate over the nature and effects of globalization all highlight the importance of political geography as a means of understanding the world around us. This course examines the relationship between earth and state. World political phenomena are studied from a geographic perspective, including international boundaries, territorial seas, and landlocked states. This course emphasizes the practical application of geography to political events.

This course covers geography, culture, society, economy, and religions of the major ethnic and linguistic groups in the Middle East. The course will introduce students to important events and developments, such as the changing concepts of politics in Islam; the evolving sociological bases of states and societies in the Middle East; and the early impact of Europe on the Middle East, first through trade and then through colonialism.

Introduces major theoretical approaches to the comparative study of politics. The student applies these approaches to government institutions, the policy-making process, political participation, economic structures and social change for both state and non-state actors.

The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive survey of the politics of Islam in the global context (both within and across states). While a portion of the class will be dedicated to the Middle East, we will also focus on parts of the globe where Muslims form a significant minority, e.g., the U.S., Western Europe, Russia, and China. This is an interdisciplinary class, meaning that we will discuss religion, history, culture, and identity in addition to politics. We will explore the implications of past and present U.S. foreign policy in the Muslim world and historical and current relations between Islam and the “West.” Additionally, we will address conflicts within Islam, transnational Islamist movements such as Hizb-ut Tahrir and Al Qaeda, and the role of pan-Arab media such as Al Jazeera. This is a reading-intensive course. Students will be expected to think critically, interpret texts, and formulate their own ideas in verbal and written form.

An analysis of the foreign policy and policy-making process in various regions of the world. Specific case studies allow the student to assess national priorities and ideological commitments in the post-Cold War era.

Examines historic, cultural, economic, social, religious, and geographic traits that distinguish this region and shape its domestic political processes and interstate relations. Surveys the governments of selected countries, considering factors such as legitimacy and political development. Includes a survey of contemporary issues salient in the region, including the Arab-Israeli dispute, with particular focus on regional security concerns.

This course will provide students with an overview of the intersection of politics, policy, and economics in the context of the Middle East. Specifically, the course focuses on the basic concepts and characteristics necessary for understanding political economy and development issues in the Middle East. Students will study the historical political and economic trends, nationalism, identity, borders, inequality, poverty, corruption, growth trends, resource based issues, labor, migration, gender, education, and various social issues underpinning Middle East Political Economy.

This course will introduce the student to the fundamentals of the Arabic language using an online immersion technique developed by RosettaStone. The student will learn basic vocabulary, verb conjugations, and grammatical usage through online listening, speaking, reading and writing exercises. The student will also learn about the cultures of Arabic speaking nations. This course must be completed prior to taking ARAB101, Arabic II. Please note the technical specifications below. These are required to interface with the online version of RosettaStone. If you cannot meet these requirements we strongly recommend you do not take this course. Please contact classroomsupport@apus.edu if you are unsure or have any questions. •The ability to download and install the speech component. •A working microphone installed on the computer for speech recognition. •Access to streaming media is also required and should be confirmed before registering for the class.

This course is a continuation of ARAB100, Arabic I. Students will continue to build vocabulary and be introduced to more advanced grammatical usage. In addition to similar—but more advanced—online listening, speaking, reading and writing exercises, students will also learn to communicate in more abstract patterns of thought as demonstrated through the use of cartoons and humor. (Prerequisite: ARAB100). Please note the technical specifications below. These are required to interface with the online version of RosettaStone. If you cannot meet these requirements we strongly recommend you do not take this course. Please contact classroomsupport@apus.edu if you are unsure or have any questions. •The ability to download and install the speech component. •A working microphone installed on the computer for speech recognition. •Access to streaming media is also required and should be confirmed before registering for the class.

Pre Reqs: Arabic I(ARAB100)

This course examines Middle Eastern history from the era of Suleyman the Magnificent, the 16th-century Ottoman sultan, to the late 20th century. It traces the roots of current Middle Eastern politics to social changes-- as the region lost its pivotal role in the world economy in the 19th century but gained oil wealth-- and to the political aftershocks of colonial occupation a century ago. Themes include the emergence off dictatorship and violence in politics during the 20th century, and especially the conflicts centered on the emergence of Israel; the rise of new political ideologies, nationalism, liberalism, and Islamism; the rise of women’s rights movements, and the reasons that political conflict has come to center on women’s status; and the polarization of rich and poor classes that continues to destabilize domestic politics. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course examines the complex and diverse history of Iraq from its ancient roots to the present. Students analyze the evolution of the modern Iraqi state, its roots in Islamic law, the effects of imperialism, monarchy, and the emergence of the militant dictatorship. In addition, students examine social, cultural, and economic traditions that have contributed to the development of Iraqi policy. (Prerequisite - HIST300/HS334 for History and Military History majors only).

This course will trace the origins, evolution and development of the Arab-Israeli conflict from the early 20th century to the present. The course follows a thematic and chronological schema, drawing on a variety of sources. Considerable focus and attention will be given to the current and ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

Politics and Security in the Persian Gulf course explores political, social, economic, and cultural issues that are relevant to the contemporary Gulf politics and security. In this context, this course also examines the impact of external powers within the region; and thus, the correlation of this impact with the rise of vulnerabilities and implications both at the regional and global levels.

This course will focus on Middle Eastern culture through an analysis of major Middle Eastern literary works including literature from ancient through modern times. The works studied represent a broad survey of the literature available from the Middle East, including works from ancient Mesopotamia, works available from classical Arabic, and works that span the ages passed down by oral tradition and only recently recorded. The novel as interpreted by eastern rather than western sensibilities is also examined. (Prerequisite: ENGL101).

Pre Reqs: Proficiency in Writing(ENGL101)

This course is a study of the three primary religions whose origins were in and which are still practiced in the Middle East: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. For each religion, topics include history, culture, beliefs, scriptures and practices. Variations within the religions will be studied in context of their expression in the Middle East. In addition, the relationship of the three in the present day context will be studied, as well the influence of the religions on political and social situations.

This course is an introduction to Islam - and its associated civilization - through readings, case studies, projects, and interaction within the classroom. Course content will examine the people and nations that practice this fascinating religion.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

This senior capstone course allows students majoring in Middle Eastern Studies to analyze specific issues at the regional level including the role of religion, culture, politics, security, economic issues. This course will provide students with the opportunity to complete an approved academic research exercise that demonstrates knowledge of a selected field of study. This is a capstone course to be taken after all other Middle Eastern Studies courses have been satisfactorily completed. Student must have SENIOR standing to register