1. History of the Middle East

2. Mr. Chmiel 15 th year at MHS 15 th year at MHS B.A. Princeton University; M.A. Seton Hall University B.A. Princeton University; M.A. Seton Hall University Helped create this course, co-authored the curriculum, chose the textbook Helped create this course, co-authored the curriculum, chose the textbook Calling to teach the course Calling to teach the course Politics major, art history (art and culture), world religions Politics major, art history (art and culture), world religions

3. Goals Students becoming more knowledgeable about the region Students becoming more knowledgeable about the region Open-minded, critical thinkers – not blindly accepting one source; considering other perspectives Open-minded, critical thinkers – not blindly accepting one source; considering other perspectives Thoughtfully developing opinions Thoughtfully developing opinions Confusion regarding complex issues isn’t a bad thing. Confusion regarding complex issues isn’t a bad thing. Altering viewpoints as new evidence becomes available is what intellectuals do. Altering viewpoints as new evidence becomes available is what intellectuals do. Informed and empowered citizens Informed and empowered citizens

4. Topics Ancient Near Eastern cultures Ancient Near Eastern cultures Major religions of the region/interested in the region Major religions of the region/interested in the region Art and architecture Art and architecture Medieval Middle East – Crusades Medieval Middle East – Crusades 20 th century Middle East 20 th century Middle East Current events mixed in – Going out of the playbook Current events mixed in – Going out of the playbook

5. Instructional Methods PowerPoint and direct instruction PowerPoint and direct instruction Class and small-group discussion Class and small-group discussion Q & A and review (including review games) Q & A and review (including review games) Movies and documentaries Movies and documentaries Reading articles (newspapers, magazines) from various sources (NYT, CNN, BBC, Al- Jazeera, Haaretz) Reading articles (newspapers, magazines) from various sources (NYT, CNN, BBC, Al- Jazeera, Haaretz) Group and individual presentations based on research Group and individual presentations based on research Guest speakers Guest speakers

6. Exciting Things Fairly new course – changing and adapting Fairly new course – changing and adapting Guest speakers from Middle East and North Africa Guest speakers from Middle East and North Africa Excellent, thought-provoking films Excellent, thought-provoking films Field trip – mosque and Jewish center Field trip – mosque and Jewish center “Middle East Feast” celebration – food and music “Middle East Feast” celebration – food and music

7. Grading Tests – 2-3 per marking period – 80-100 points each Tests – 2-3 per marking period – 80-100 points each Quizzes – 3-5 per marking period – 10 – 40 points each Quizzes – 3-5 per marking period – 10 – 40 points each Homework – once a week 5-10 points Homework – once a week 5-10 points Class work – 5-10 points per assignment Class work – 5-10 points per assignment 50 point class participation grade 50 point class participation grade Projects ~ 100 points 1-2 for the course Projects ~ 100 points 1-2 for the course

8. Contact Information Mr Chmiel’s extra help day is Thursday Mr Chmiel’s extra help day is Thursday His email is fchmiel@mtsd.us. His email is fchmiel@mtsd.us.fchmiel@mtsd.us

9. Concluding Remarks Elective course – people have signed up to be here Elective course – people have signed up to be here High expectations but being reasonable High expectations but being reasonable Fun course but meant to be taken seriously as well Fun course but meant to be taken seriously as well Getting students interested and involved Getting students interested and involved