Middle East Becomes the Crossroads Again for the World

We explore the conflict in the Middle East region and how the superpower nations have fueled the tensions. Our case study is the struggle for homelands for the Arabs and Jews. Central Question for the Unit: How can people of the same historical roots become warring countries?

Course Lecture PowerPoint Slides and Other Materials

• Instructor Master PP Slides

• Student PP Slides

Course Lecture Video Recordings

• Music Video Overview of the Unit (4:14 minutes) "Middle East Promises" performed by Doug Astrop

• (Video) Part One

• (Video) Part Two

• (Video) Part Three

• (Video) Part Four

• (Video) Part Five

Required Readings and Media

• Study Guide Questions for Assigned Readings and Media (Word)

• Akbar, Linking Islam to Dictatorship (PDF)

• Al-Qaradhawl, Sunni Sheik Yousuf Al-Qaradhawi Supports Palestine Suicide Bombings (PDF)

• Huckerry, When Women Become Terrorists (PDF)

• Juhi, Hopes Dim to Change Iraq Laws to Protect Women (PDF)

Unit Activities

• History Simulation Middle East Conference

• Screenwriting Online: Middle East Conference

Supplemental Learning Materials (Not required for major exams)

• Timeline of Middle Eastern Events After 1946

• Secretary of State Colin Powell, U.S. Role in Arab-Israeli Conflict (PDF Transcript)

• Secretary of State Colin Powell, Transcript of Speech to UN on Iran Weapons of Mass Destruction (PDF Transcript)

• Historpedia, 2011 Egyptian Revolution for Democracy (Web Page)

• Wikipedia, Sharia Law (PDF)

• Wikipedia, Roman Catholic Papal infallibility (Web Page)

• Brooks, Nine Parts of Desire: Challenges for Women to Attend College (PDF)

• Abouzeid, The Arab League to Syria's President: It is Tie for You to Go (PDF)

• Bronner, In Israel, Time for Peace May Run Out (PDF)

• Israeli Merkava Tank (Video)

• Arabs vs. Israelis in 1967 (Audio)