HIST 257 - Nations and Nationalism in the Middle East

Institution:

Trinity College

Subject:

Description:

The idea of nations and the ideology of nationalism emerged as powerful political, social and cultural forces in the Middle East at the end of the 19th century. Nationalisms in the Middle East took on various guises, sometimes representing perceived ethnic communities, sometimes linguistic ones, and sometimes religious groups. In addition, nationalisms never existed insulated from other alternative ideologies for community organization, and thus nationalism incorporated, rejected or otherwise responded to other competing ideas and agendas. Benedict Anderson argues that "to understand [nations and nationalisms] properly we need to consider carefully how they have come into historical being, in what ways their meanings have changed over time, and why, today, they command such profound emotional legitimacy." This course aims to do just that with specific reference to the Middle East. We will look at both theories of nations and nationalisms and explore specific historical instances, including Ottomanism, Zionism, Arab nationalism, Turkish nationalism and Arab socialism. We will also look at some competing ideas, such as Berber trans-nationalism and the ascendance of political Islam. 1.00 units, Lecture

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.Trincoll.edu

Phone Number:

(860) 297-2000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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