Political Science 395, Section 2:
Spring 2006
Northern
Instructor: Mazen Nagi
Class Meetings: T & TH
Contact Information
Office: 420 Zulauf Hall
Phone: TBA
Email: tiedye95@yahoo.com
Office Hours: Tuesdays 5-6 or by appointment
The
This course will try to make
sense of two of the more prominent
This
course has two specific objectives, and one more general one. The first goal is
to facilitate a basic understanding of the people, events and issues that have
brought these conflicts to their current states. The second aim is to help
students develop a sound and realistic familiarity with the policies of the
various parties involved in these conflicts. Thirdly and more generally, I hope
that through this course, I will be able to help students to understand why the
peoples of the region think and act as they do; what often seems irrational to
us, may have very rational reasoning behind it (whether we agree with it or
not). Finally, while not a formal objective, it is hoped that this course will
instill or ignite an intellectual curiosity that will leads students to
continue to seek information and knowledge about this most important region.
Finally,
it is important to note that this course is intended for students with little
or no knowledge of the Middle East. While it will be taught in a way that
corresponds to its 300-level classification, it is not likely to appeal to
students who have studied or lived in the region for several years.
As mentioned, the
presumption is that students have little or no background in the subject
matter. For that reason, each class will have a lecture component. However,
questions and comments about the material are encouraged and always welcome.
Also, members of the class should be prepared to respond to questions the
instructor might ask about a lecture topic, assigned readings, or contemporary
events. We will spend a good portion of our time discussing and dissecting
these conflicts as a group. Regular participation is expected. Again, as
mentioned, all opinions and interpretations are welcome, but must be presented in
a calm and respectful manner. This point is particularly important
because many Middle East issues are closely intertwined with some individuals’
political and religious beliefs.
The readings used for this
course have been selected to provide the most up-to-date material as possible,
as well as to maintain a high quality of academic intellectualism. For those
students faced with limited budgets, a copy of the text and readings will be
placed on two-hour reserve in the library. Please return these materials in a
timely fashion so that everyone is guaranteed reasonable access. If possible,
however, I would encourage students to have a personal copy of the book not
only for use during the semester, but for future reference as well.
1. Sifry & Cref (eds.). 2003. The Iraq War
Reader – History, Documents, Opinions. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
There are four basic
requirements. The first is written
examinations. The midterm exam will be given on Thursday March 9. The
final exam will be administered on (TBA) from (TBA). The midterm will
comprise 25% of the grade, while the final exam will also account for 25%. A
study guide will be distributed before each exam. In order to pass this class, all
exams and quizzes must be completed.
The
second requirement is the submission of 5 neatly clipped or photocopied
articles with an accompanying well-written, typed page that
reacts thoughtfully to a news story that bears a clear relationship with the
class subject matter. For instance, the commentary can tie a selected article
to a course reading, draw a connection to a theory or concept discussed in
class, relate its significance to present or future policy, or convey how a
policy-maker should address the issue. Regardless of the approach, the page
must be well constructed and thought out and typed! The due dates
of these essays are to be roughly every 15-20 days on Thursdays in class (the
exact dates are found in later in this syllabus); no late submissions will be
accepted. This component of the grade is worth 25% of the final grade.
The
third requirement involves a short but important test. The test, which
will be given Tuesday April 4, will examine students’ basic understanding of
Middle East geography. More details will be provided in class. This quiz will
account for 15% of the final grade.
Fourth, and lastly, class
attendance/participation is expected and will be rewarded; it will contribute
10% to the final course grade. The way this works is as follows: Three
unexcused absences will be allowed (although not on exam or quiz days) as long
as assignments are submitted on time. Each absence after will count two points
towards the final grade up to a total of eight absences. Nine or more absences
will result in an automatic failure of the course without exception.
Attendance will generally be taken at the beginning of each class session.
Finally, being tardy will be treated the same as being absent. This is done in
order to keep classroom disruptions to a minimum and provide a better teaching
and learning environment.
Components of the Final Grade
a. Midterm Exam =25%
b. Final Exam =25%
c. Essays =25%
d. Geography Test =15%
e. Attendance =10%
1) Make-up Exams: Make-up exams will only be given
in extraordinary circumstances. If such circumstances arise, please contact the
instructor as soon as possible and before the scheduled exam. To keep the
process fair for everyone in the course, students may be asked to support
requests for make-up exams with documentation. A missed examination without
prior notification and a documented excuse will result in a zero and a grade of
“F” as opposed to an incomplete.
2) Students with Disabilities: The instructor
recognizes that some students require special testing environments because of
documented physical and learning disabilities. If such arrangements are
necessary, the instructor should be informed early in the semester. Please do
not wait until exam time.
3) Late Assignments: The only out-of-class
assignments other than readings are the current events requirements, which, as
mentioned, must be turned in at the time due; there will be no exceptions unless
the student has an excused absence.
4) Submitting Materials: Assignments should be handed
in to me personally, or given to a department secretary to be time-stamped.
Assignments placed under my office door or sent with a friend tend to disappear
at times. If a student selects one of these modes of delivery, he or she does
so at their own risk.
5) Extra Credit: Extra credit assignments will not
be given on an individual basis to raise final course grades. Like make-up
exams, such assignments raise major questions of equity. If the need arises to
provide some sort of extra-credit assignment, the entire class will be given
the opportunity to complete it.
6) Handouts: Handouts, including study guides, are a
privilege for those students who attend class on a regular basis. No student is
entitled to supplemental materials simply because they are registered for the
course.
7) Incomplete Requests: Such petitions will be
granted in extraordinary circumstances. The instructor reserves the right to
ask for documentation to verify the problem preventing completion of the course
by the normal deadlines. It the student does not present documentation from a
university office or official, the matter will be left to the instructor’s
discretion.
8) Academic Dishonesty: Please refer to the NIU
Undergraduate Catalog (p. 47) section entitled “Academic Integrity” for
details. In general the point is that students should do their own work and
learn the proper rules of citation and paraphrasing.
9) Class Participation: It is recognized that class
discussion comes more easily for some than others. By temperament or habit some
people are “talkers” and others “listeners.” While the preference is that
students volunteer to participate, I may at times call upon individuals if that
is the only way to bring them into the discussion. If you are particularly
uneasy about speaking in class, please see me. There are some things I can
suggest that may help to make participation easier.
10) Unannounced Quizzes: The instructor reserves the
right to conduct “pop quizzes” if during the course of the semester it becomes
apparent that students are not completing the reading assignments in time for
discussion in class.
News Article Submission Dates: February 3 (Thursday)
February
23 (Thursday)
March
9 (Thursday)
March
30 (Thursday)
April 20
(Thursday)
Midterm Examination: March
9 (Thursday)
Geography Test: April
4 (Tuesday)
Final Examination: TBA
Week 1
January 17: Course Introduction
January 19: Review of Basic International Relations
Theories
No
Readings
Week 2
January 24: Review of IR Theories continued
No
Readings
January 26: Basic Introduction to Islam
No
Readings
Week 3
January 31: European Colonialism
Readings:
Louise Fawcett, International Relations in the Middle East, pp. 310-315
February 2: The United States in the Middle East
Readings:
Louise Fawcett, International Relations in the Middle East, pp. 283-305
Week 4
February 7 & 9: The Arab/Israeli Conflict
Readings:
Louise Fawcett, International Relations in the Middle East, pp. 217-239
Week 5
February 14: Readings TBA
February 16: Readings TBA
Week 6
February 21 Readings TBA
February 23: Readings TBA
Week 7
February 28 Readings TBA
March 2: Readings TBA
Week 8
March 7 Midterm Review-This is optional
Readings:
No assigned readings
March 9: **Midterm Exam
SPRING BREAK-March 14-16: No Class Meetings
Week 9
March 21 Readings TBA
Midterm will be returned by
March 21
March 23: Readings TBA
Week 10
March 28: Readings TBA
March 30: Readings TBA
Week 11
April 4: Readings TBA
**Geography Quiz
April 6: Readings TBA
Week 12
April 11 Readings TBA
April 13: Readings TBA
Week 13
April 18 Readings TBA
April 20: Readings TBA
Week 14
April 25 Readings TBA
April 27: Readings TBA
Week 15
May 2: Readings TBA
May 4: Readings TBA
Final Exam Review-Date and Time TBA
Final Exam- Date and Time TBA