1. The Middle East: A Simple Place

2. The Middle East and YOU Islamist Terrorism
Why do thousands of middle eastern Muslims (mostly Arabs) want to kill Americans wherever/whenever they can?
Iraq and conflict with the U.S.- Why care?
Saddam Hussein vs three U.S. Presidents?
Kassem vs two U.S. Presidents?
Arab-Israeli Conflict
What is going on and why is the U.S. so involved in helping Israel?
Oil, the U.S. and the growing world economy?
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

3. History and Why We (U.S.) are involved in the Middle East
Advent of Islam & the community of Muslims
Ups and Downs of Arab Civilization and Islamic Empires
European colonial involvement
The rise of oil in economic and military activity
Oil In the Persian Gulf and wider middle east
The Jewish Holocaust and historic ties to Palestine
U.S. Cold War involvement

4. How will we examine all of this?
Look at the history and see what happened from 600 AD to now, focusing on 20th century
Acquaint you with people, culture and religion of the middle east (mainly Arabs and Islam)
Look at current politics & events in the region
Share our special knowledge of the region
Make connections between all of this and what is going on now

5. Some Key Topics: Roots and nature of Arab Culture
The Religion of Islam:
What it is and how it began
Role as a community
Arab & Islamic Empire:
Conquests: 7th Century expansion from one small town to a three continent empire
Fragmentation, Christian Crusades, Mongol Invasion
European Nations and the Ottoman Empire
European (esp British) supremacy over Middle East
Growth of Arab nationalism

6. Some Key Topics (continued):
Oil discoveries and growing use in industrial west
Growth of Jewish Zionism
Conflict over Palestine
Cold War & Conflicts with Local Nationalist Movements
Conflict in the Gulf
Shii vs Sunni Islam
Secular vs radical Islam
Arab vs Persian
End of Cold War and rise of Islamist Terrorism
Look at current politics & events in the region

7. Matters of Concern
In the study of history “truth” can be a matter of perspective. Historians do not always agree
We will be looking at some very emotional issues
Recognize the emotion in yourself and others
Try to be objective and not let our perceptions be obscured
Be tolerant of other views, cultures and religions
We all have our misconceptions of the middle east
Be patient with generalizations made in a history course that covers 1400 years in 11 weeks
If we miss an area you feel is important, SPEAK UP!