Vanishing Christians of Mod ME

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The seminar will examine the transformation of the Eastern churches into Arab-Christians in modern history, their participation in the formation of the nation state, their current decline and the renewed call for their protection. It will provide a brief survey of the early developments of Christian controversies, the encounter with Islam, with European hegemony and Pax Americana post WWII. It will examine the prospects for the survival of Christianity in the Arab world in light of rise of Islamic fundamentalism and Christian emigration to the West. It will introduce students to historical writings on particular periods. The course emphasizes discussion and engagement with assigned readings. Students are expected to engage in original research and articulate conclusions both orally and in writing.