An examination of the various interactions between colonial powers and Middle Eastern societies in the 19th and 20th centuries, including local responses to imperial actions and a critical analysis of the research literature on imperialism and colonialism in the Middle East.
An analysis of civil-state relations from the establishment of new nation-states through the changing social, political, and religious realities in the region. Topics for study include the connection between the social contract and the development of monarchical, tribal, or authoritarian regimes an the influence of the Arab Spring on the social contract.
The history of Jews, Christians, and other minorities in Islamic cultures, with an emphasis on expanding the discourse on Jewish-Muslim relations in Israel and Palestine. Topics include the determination of “minority" as concept and category and the multi-national and diverse heritage of the Ottoman empire.
Study of issues related to academic writing, editing, and publishing, as well as to the critical analysis of academic texts. Designed for students in the research track, in particular on the editorial board of the department's journal Jama'a, the workshop aims to strengthen skills in writing academic articles.
