Negotiating Middle East Peace

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This reading seminar focuses upon the topic of negotiations and conflict resolution in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict since 1977 to the present. The course is divided into three parts. First, we will present the general theoretical framework for explaining and understanding negotiations in international relations. In addition, we will refer in general terms to the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the main issues and patterns of negotiations. Second, we will address several case studies of successes and failures of negotiations between Israel and its several Arab neighbors, including Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and the Palestinians. In this context, we will attempt to understand the failure of the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. Finally, in the last part of the course, we will play a simulation and students will present their papers.