1:25 PM – 2:15 PM MW
See Schedule of Classes for discussion section times
This course will examine the political situation in Israel/Palestine from historical, theological, and cultural perspectives with special emphasis given to questions of nationalism and territorialism. We will read primary and secondary literature dealing with modern nationalism and territory, the concept of "land" in Judaism and Islam (using primary sources in translation), the history of Zionism and Palestinian Nationalism, the rise of the anti-nationalist Islamist movement including its roots in British colonialism. We will explore the rise of nationalism in the Middle East more generally includinf its secular, Marxist, and Islamist roots and will read some classical and contemporary Zionist debates on bi- nationalism, militarism and territorial compromise, and the more contemporary discussion in Israel and Palestine in the media and in the academy. This is not a Political Science course meaning we will not debate policy, legislation, and predictions for the future. Rather, we will examine the underlying theological and cultural roots of the political crisis founded on the relationship between territory and national identity, At the end of the semester we will turn to some political commentary on issues of territory and resolution including the Israel Declaration of Independence, Camp David II, the Hamas Charter, the Geneva Accords, and the Saudi Arabia Peace Plan.