History, Power, and Conflict in the Eastern Mediterranean

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The Eastern Mediterranean has always been one of the most important meeting points of humanity, from the Bronze Age civilizations that flourished along its coasts to today's trade corridors and energy pipelines that traverse the Eurasian landmass. However, it is a region that has also been defined by conflict and competition. Today, the Eastern Mediterranean continues to be a global flashpoint, a border between the Global South and the Global North along which the Great Powers continue to clash. The course will give students the opportunity to learn about this strategically critical area, its current challenges and future opportunities. Students will thus reflect on the future of regional interconnectivity, the importance of non-state actors, and the importance of the Eastern Mediterranean's energy deposits. To complement this, students will also study the key actors present in the region (including the European Union, Turkey, the Arab states of West Asia and North Africa, as well as the United States, Russia, and China). The region's complex interrelations continue to be largely defined by its past. To understand the Eastern Mediterranean today and its future, it is important to be aware of its recent past. The course will therefore delve into the region's 20th century history to illustrate how the status quo was shaped by two World Wars, decolonization, and the Cold War.