Time Schedule:
Talal S. Hattar
POL S 325
Seattle Campus
The politics of conflicting ideologies: Zionism and Arab nationalism; formation of the state of Israel; development of Palestinian nationalism; Arab-Israeli wars. Re-emergence of Palestinian activism; domestic sources of foreign policy; the role of the superpowers.
Class description
(Full Term) Description: This course analyzes the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict as a means of understanding identity conflict, particularly nationalist conflict, as a resilient and persistent structural feature of modern politics. The history will be taught in three distinct phases. The first phase lasted from about 1905 to 1948 and was primarily a conflict between Jewish immigrants and Palestinian Arabs to create basic institutions of a state. The second phase, from 1949 to 1984, was primarily a conflict between existing states. The third phase, from 1985 to the present has again become a conflict between a Palestinian community in the West Bank/Gaza and Israel over the creation of new state institutions.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Texts: Morris, Righteous Victims; Smith, Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict; Gellner, Nationalism; Schmitt, The Concept of the Political.
Class assignments and grading
Assignments: There are two midterm examinations and a final examination, valued at 15%, 35% and 50% of the grade, to encourage improvement. Students may opt to write a 10-20 page analytical research paper in lieu of the final examination.
