HIST 322
Middle East in the World: 600-1700 (GL) (WI)
1. Catalog Entry
HIST 322
Middle East in the World: 600-1700 (GL) (WI)
Credit hours (3)
Prerequisite: Three hours of HIST at 100 level
This course covers the major cultural, political, social, economic, and environmental
aspects of the history of the Middle East from the seventh to the eighteenth century.
Students will learn about the history of Islam, the spread of the early Caliphates,
and the imperial dimensions of the Eastern Mediterranean world.
Note(s): Humanistic or Artistic Expression designated course.
2. Detailed Description of Course
This course is a survey of Middle East history from the seventh to the seventeenth
centuries. It will cover the major political, cultural, and social developments that
took place over this period. The course will cover topics as diverse as the birth
of Islam, the impact of the Mongol invasions on the region, the Black Death of the
14th century, and the rise of the Ottoman Empire. Throughout, the focus will be on
the global structures, networks, and relationships that made the region such a dynamic
place.
The course will also ask students to consider the changing definition of the 鈥淢iddle
East鈥� throughout the millennium we cover. The term 鈥淢iddle East鈥� encompasses a vast
and diverse region, extending from Central Asia to Western Sahara, from the headwaters
of the White Nile to the Bosporus. The breadth of political, cultural, and historical
variety contained within this world region is staggering; while accepting the Middle
East as a coherent concept, the course will strive to give students some understanding
of its world-historical context. The course goal is to situate the Middle East within
the larger scope of world history, to gain a knowledge base that will allow students
to better comprehend the processes of history. As the North African philosopher and
historian Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406) suggested, we will try to understand both the 鈥渟urface鈥�
of history 鈥� dates, events, and persons 鈥� and also its 鈥渋nner meaning.鈥�
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The course will consist of a combination of lectures and discussions, some of which
will be student-led. Students may also be required to make formal presentations to
the class.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
Having successfully completed this course, students will be able to:
1) Students will practice thinking critically and analytically about historical
issues, acquire a broader knowledge and deeper understanding of
pertinent historical events and processes, and cultivate a familiarity with
the concepts of historical argument and interpretation. Research
certification in the fitness and strength and conditioning fields.
2) Students will develop disciplinary research skills by designing strategies
to locate and analyze primary and secondary source evidence,
processing and organizing the resultant data, and composing proper citation
and bibliographical entries.
3) Students will apply their critical thinking, research, and compositional skills
to the creation and presentation of thesis driven essays that discuss,
for example, historical social, economic, political, and/or cultural developments
and that address issues such as the causes and consequences of
historical change and continuity.
5. Assessment Measures
Course assessment may consist of tests and paper assignments, some of which may require
significant student research.
6. Other Course Information
None.
Review and Approval
April 23, 2014
March 01, 2021