HIS 143A HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST TO 1800 FALL 2018 T-R: 3:00-4:15 PM BRH 210

Transcription

1 HIS 143A HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST TO 1800 FALL 2018 T-R: 3:00-4:15 PM BRH 210 Dr. Serpil Atamaz Office: Tahoe 3057 Phone: Office Hours: T 1:00-2:00, W 10:00-12:00, and by appointment Catalogue Description: Surveys the history of the Muslim Middle East from the age of the Prophet Mohammed to the late Ottoman Empire. Topics include: the Islamic religious revolution; the splintering of the Islamic community into Sunnis, Shias and other Islamic minorities; the impact of Islam upon the European West; the Crusades; and Western influence at the end of the 18th century. Course Description: In this course we will examine the history of the Middle East from the sixth century to the invasion of Egypt by Napoleon in 1798 to understand the political, social, and cultural transformation of the region over the centuries. Some of the issues we will focus on are: the emergence of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula; the conquest of the Middle East by Muslims; the creation of Islamic states and empires; the diversity and flexibility of the Islamic beliefs and practices; and the interaction between the Middle East and the western world. General Education Area C2 Learning Objectives: Demonstrate knowledge of the conventions and methods of the study of the humanities. Investigate, describe, and analyze the roles and effects of human culture and understanding in the development of human societies. Compare and analyze various conceptions of humankind. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the historical development of cultures and civilizations, including their animating ideas and values. Learning Outcomes: Students who successfully complete this course will be able to Demonstrate knowledge about the main events, themes, figures, and concepts in the history of the Middle East up to 1800 Understand the origins of some of the contemporary issues and questions related to the Middle East. Explain the role of Islam in shaping the history of the region Explain the most important historical developments in the Middle East between the seventh and the nineteenth centuries Show familiarity with primary sources related to Middle Eastern history Demonstrate critical thinking, research, writing, and oral communication skills

2 Required Books: Reza Aslan, No God but God: The Origins and Revolution in Islam (Random House, 2011) Tamim Ansary, Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes (Public Affairs, 2010) * Additional readings are posted on Canvas. Canvas: This course utilizes Canvas. To use Canvas, you need an active Saclink account. Once you log in, you should click on HIST 143A to access course material, which includes the course syllabus, primary sources, important vocabulary, review questions, and instructions for assignments. Course Requirements: Attendance (10 %): Regular attendance is essential to do well in this course. Students are expected to attend all classes. You may miss two classes throughout the semester without penalty provided that you have a valid excuse and contact me prior to class in person or by . Additional absences will result in an overall grade reduction by 1% per class. Repeatedly coming late to the class or leaving early will significantly diminish your attendance grade. Participation (10 %): Classes will consist of lectures, discussions, and various activities, and participation in classroom discussions and activities is mandatory. Students are expected to be always ready to discuss and answer questions about their assigned readings, so readings should be done in advance of the class day. Exams (Midterm 25 % + Final 25 %): Students will take two exams on scheduled dates, which will consist of short answer and essay questions. Your essays need to be comprehensive, analytical, and have an argument (thesis), which is supported by specific examples from the readings and the class lectures. Review questions, a vocabulary list, and various exercises will be available on Canvas to help you study for the exam. Quizzes (15 %): Students will take three quizzes on scheduled time slots on Canvas. The quizzes will consist of multiple choice, true or false, and fill in the blank questions, which will be based on both readings and class lectures. Response Papers (15 %) (One-page, single-spaced, words): Students are required to write a total of five response papers throughout the semester, discussing specific primary sources in relation to weekly readings and class lectures. Students will have the chance to have their lowest score dropped by submitting a sixth paper. The purpose of these papers is to familiarize you with historical documents, to improve your writing skills, and to help you prepare for the exams. The response papers are due in class on the day the assigned primary source is scheduled for. The instructions and the grading criteria for this assignment can be found on Canvas. Extra Credit: There will be several extra credit opportunities throughout the semester, such as visiting a mosque, interviewing people from the Middle East, watching a movie/documentary, attending a lecture etc. These opportunities will allow you to raise

3 your overall grade up to 5 %. The instructions for the extra credit assignments will be posted on Canvas. Grading Scale A A B B B C C C D D D F 0-59 Disability Accommodations: If a student has a documented disability and verification from the Office of Services to Students with Disabilities (SSWD), and wishes to discuss academic accommodations, please notify me immediately. It is the student s responsibility to provide documentation of disability to SSWD and meet with a SSWD counselor to request special accommodation before classes start. SSWD is in Lassen Hall 1008 and can be contacted by phone [(916) (Voice) (916) (TDD only)] or at sswd@csus.edu Basic Needs Support If you are experiencing challenges in the area of food and/or stable housing, help is just a click, or phone call away! Sacramento State offers basic needs support for students who are experiencing challenges in these areas. Please visit our Basic Needs website to learn more about your options and resources available. Academic Integrity: Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will automatically receive a failing grade for the assignment/test and may also be subject to other disciplinary action in accordance with the university policy. If you have any doubts about what constitutes cheating and plagiarism, please familiarize yourself with the university s Academic Honesty Policy & Procedures ( If a student does not understand these policies, then it is their responsibility to seek clarification from the instructor. University Reading and Writing Center and Peer Academic Resource Center: Students are encouraged to take advantage of the following centers on campus. The University Reading and Writing Center (URWC) is a free resource for CSUS undergraduates and graduates. At the URWC, a trained consultant will work individually with you on anything you're reading or writing without judgement. They are located in Calaveras 128. ( The Peer Academic Resource Center (PARC) is also a free resource for undergraduates that provides workshops on success, writing counselors, and some tutoring. They are located in Lassen ( Course Policies: Missing Exams: You must take the tests on the scheduled dates. If you miss the test due to an excused reason (medical emergency, death in the family etc.), you

4 may make it up at a later date. (Please note that make up exams will be administered by University Testing Services. You should make sure to consult their rules before you make any arrangements.) If you don t have a valid excuse, you will receive a failing grade on that test and will not be able to substitute it with any other work. Classroom Conduct: The use of electronic devices in class (laptops, mp3 players, cell phones etc.) is prohibited. Students engaging in disruptive behavior, including texting, chatting, and/or surfing the internet, will be asked to leave. This will count as an unexcused absence. You are also expected to refrain from engaging in actions that might interfere with the class such as chatting, eating, listening to music etc. during class time. Late Assignments and Incompletes: Late assignments will be lowered one grade per day. Incompletes will be granted only in the case of extreme illness or other extenuating circumstances. Forms of Address: You must refer to me either as Professor or Dr. Atamaz in person and in any written correspondence. Correspondence: If you expect me to respond to you, your s should include a salutation, a properly written message, and a signature. Schedule of Classes (Subject to Change) W 1 August 28: Introduction to the Course August 30: Introduction to the Middle East Readings: Ansary, The Middle World W 2 September 4: The Pre-Islamic Arabia Readings: Aslan, The Sanctuary in the Desert Primary Source: The Hanged Poems September 6: Muhammad and the Emergence of Islam Readings: Aslan, The Keeper of the Keys Primary Source: The Last Sermon W 3 September 11: The Early Muslim Community Readings: Ansary, Hijra ; Aslan, The City of Prophet Primary Source: Medina Constitution September 13: Islamic Beliefs and Practices-I Readings: Ten Things Everyone Needs to Know About Islam W 4 September 18: Islamic Beliefs and Practices-II Readings: Aslan, Fight in the Way of God September 20: The Rightly Guided Caliphs Readings: Ansary, Birth of the Khalifate ; Aslan, The Rightly Guided Ones Primary Source: "Pact of Umar" Quiz #1

5 W 5 September 25: Umayyids Readings: Ansary, Empire of the Umayyads September 27: Abbasids Readings: Ansary, The Abbasid Age Primary Sources: Thousand and One Nights ; Baghdad under the Abbasids W 6 October 2: Shiism Readings: Ansary, Schism, Aslan, In the Footsteps of Martyrs Primary Source: Shiite and Sunni Views on Political Legitimacy October 4: Sufism Readings: Aslan, Stain Your Prayer Rug with Wine Primary Source: Sufi Poetry W 7 October 9: MIDTERM October 11: Islamic Law Readings: Ansary, Scholars, Philosophy, and Sufis W 8 October 16: Philosophy and Science Reading: Aslan, This Religion is a Science October 18: Arts, Architecture, and Literature Readings: Irwin, Artists, Guilds, and Craft Technology, A Literary Art Primary Source; Obayd-e Zekani Quiz #2 W 9 October 23: Turks Readings: Ansary, Enter the Turks Primary Source: Selections from Nizam ul Mulk October 25: Crusaders Readings: Ansary, Havoc Primary Source: A Christian-Muslim Debate W 10 October 30: Mongols Readings: Ansary, The Assault from the East, Rebirth Primary Sources: The Mongol Conquest of Baghdad, On the Tatars November 1: The Ottoman Empire-I Readings: Ansary, The Ottomans Primary Sources: The Liberation of Constantinople W 11 November 6: The Ottoman Empire-II Primary Sources: The Turkish Letters, Suleyman s Poem November 8: The Safavid Empire Readings: Ansary, The Safavids Primary Sources: Letter to Shah Ismail of Persia ; Shah Ismail s Poetry

6 W 12 November 13: Ethnic and Religious Diversity Readings: Fodor, Minorities in the Ottoman Empire Primary Source: Travels of Evliya Celebi November 15: MESA Conference (No Class) Quiz # 3 W 13 November 20: Urban Life Reading: Peirce, The People of Aintab and Their World November 22: Thanksgiving (No Class) W 14 November 27: Women, Marriage, and Family Readings: Ze evi, Regulating Desire: Sharia and Kanun Primary Source: Abd al-qadir al-maghribi: Muhammad and Woman November 29: Drugs, Stimulants, and Sexuality Reading: Mathee, Opium in Safavid Iran Primary Source: Jahiz on Singing Girls W 15 December 4: Western Colonialism Readings: Ansary, Meanwhile in Europe Primary Sources: Chronicle of the French Occupation December 6: The Response of the Middle East Reading: Ansary, West Comes East ; Aslan, An Awakening in the East Primary Sources: Al-Afghani Plan for Islamic Unity