HIST 087 Voyages of Discovery: America and the Middle East in the 20th Century
Taught as schedule allows (consult the Course Directory)
Foe or friend, Satan or saint—America has often been depicted in the Middle East as either a benevolent superpower or an ill-meaning enemy. In America, too, stereotypes of the Middle East abound as the home of falafels, terrorists, and fanatics. This ndergraduate lecture course will explore the relationship between the United States and the Middle East by moving beyond such facile stereotypes. Our goal is to understand why a century of interaction has done little to foster greater understanding between the two societies. By reading novels, memoirs, and historical accounts, we will examine the origins of this cultural and diplomatic encounter in the twentieth century. The readings will shed light on America's political and economic involvement in the Middle East after the Second World War. We will consider the impact of oil diplomacy on U.S.-Middle East relations, as well as the role of ideology and religion, in our effort to comprehend the current antagonism that exists between these societies.
