Global Div Israel Palestine

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The Israel-Gaza War is a transformative moment in global politics. It has produced heated debate and political commentary that recalls other watershed moments in international affairs, such as the end of the Cold War, 9/11 and the subsequent US invasion of Iraq, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Why does the Israel-Palestine conflict continue to generate intense polarization, bitterness, and acrimony on a global scale? This is the core question that will inform this course. Within Western societies, the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli assault on Gaza, have produced deep divisions in universities, medical and law schools, newsrooms, in Hollywood, among intellectuals, in the Democratic Party, and within the American Jewish community. Internationally, a chasm has emerged between the West and the global south over this issue as reflected in UN General Assembly and Security Council votes and the January 2024 International Court of Justice ruling on the question of genocide in Gaza. How can we objectively understand this ongoing global divide over the Israel/Palestine Conflict? What are its historical roots, how is it politically perpetuated and can this chasm be bridged? These are some of the questions that we will examine. The analytical framework for this course draws upon history, comparative politics, and international relations. No prerequisites are required but it is strongly encouraged that students have some background in international relations or global history. At least one previous course in either of these subjects is preferred but not required. Please note that is not a course on the history or politics of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Our focus is on the global resonance of this dispute and why it seems to be a marker of identity for disparate groups of people and governments within the West, the Arab-Islamic world and in parts of the global south. This is a seminar course that is capped at 20 students. Students will be evaluated based on a seminar presentation, a term paper and a final interview with the instructor. MA students who take this course will be assigned an additional assignment (TBD).