REL 372.001
Religions, Politics, and Cultures of the Middle East

Professor
Dr. Steven L. Jacobs
sjacobs@bama.ua.edu

Office: 201 Manly Hall
Office Phone: 348-0473
Office Hour: TBA
Course: T 3:30-5:50
Location: 210 Manly Hall

About Online Readings

Some course readings are placed in a "secure" folder; you can only access these PDF files (Portable Document Format, that can be opened with the free Adobe Reader) by clicking each link and then entering your Bama User Name and Password. If you have difficulty accessing these readings, contact the instructor by email.

If you have forgotten your Bama ID, but know your Campus Wide ID (CWID), then go here.

Description

The reassertion of religious values for political ends in the Middle East and beyond suggests a need for reconsideration of the process of social change. This course will examine the stories of Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and the Arabian Penninsula as well as the concepts of Middle East Islam, Arab nationalism, Judaism and Zionism as well as the supposed "clash of civilizations" to develop a clearer understanding of a little known but important part of the world and the birthplaces of the world's three dominant monotheistic religious traditions.

Syllabus

Syllabus (PDF)

Books (required)

Gelvin, James L.
The Arab Uprisings: What Everyone Needs To Know
Oxford University Press, 2012
ISBN: 019989177X

Lee, Robert D.
Religion & Politics In The Middle East
Westview Press, 2010
ISBN: 0813344204

Nanji, Azim
Penguin Dictionary Of Islam
Penguin, 2008
ISBN: 0141013990

Sorensen, David S.
An Introduction to the Modern Middle East
Westview Press, 2007
ISBN: 0813343992

Wright, Robin
Dreams and Shadows
Penguin, 2008
ISBN: 0143114891

Online Readings

Herzl, Theodor, The Jewish State (PDF)

The Elephant in the Room (PDF)