Arab-Israeli Conflict: Histories and Narratives

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the history of the Arab-Israel conflict. We will begin our analysis with a discussion of the origins of this protracted conflict examining, in particular the role of nationalism and religion in the early years. Was this and does this remain at its heart a conflict between two national movements; Palestinian Arab nationalism on the one hand and Zionism an expression of the Jewish national movement on the other? How have other players, initially the Ottomans, then the British and thereafter the super powers engaged in this arena and what role have the Arab states played in what has often been considered a regional conflict. The course will examine the ebb and flow of the conflict paying attention to peace efforts and the reasons for their particular successes and failures. Students will be expected to read different scholastic approaches to the subject as well as primary sources in order to secure a deeper understanding of this seemingly unsolvable conflict.