Time Schedule:
Joel S Migdal
SISME 458
Seattle Campus
Examines how parts of the mosaic of Israel's ethnic groups and religions have interacted over time to create today's society. Focus on politics, especially interaction of the state with the mosaic society. The religious divide; the Jewish ethnic divide; Palestinians in Israel; war and its effect on Israel; the long road to peace.
Class description
Israel is a state within whose borders exists a complex mosaic of ethnic groups and religions. One interesting element about Israeli society, however, is that for years very few Israelis thought of their society as a mosaic. They conceived of it, much like Americans did about their own society several decades ago, as a melting pot that created a fairly homogeneous social core. This course examines how the parts of the mosaic have interacted over time to create today’s Israeli society, and how Israelis have thought about and handled the realization that social diversity, not homogeneity, dominates. The course looks, too, at the politics of Israel, especially the interaction of the state with the mosaic society.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lecture/discussion
Recommended preparation
introductory course in any of the social sciences
Class assignments and grading
significant reading; small papers on readings; term paper
participation, small papers, large paper, final
