20809251Sociology of the Middle East and North Africa
Course Information
Description
In this age of globalization and multiculturalism, this course provides the opportunity for the learner to develop the knowledge skills process and understanding of a sociological analysis of the political, cultural, and social history of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It will follow a comparative approach in assessing the patterns and processes of social, political, economic, and cultural developments in various Middle Eastern and North African states and societies. The focus will be on several key issues such as ethnic and religious diversity, colonialism, culture and cultural reform, nationalism, overview of the East/West relations, the role of religion and current areas of conflict. As a sociology course, emphasis will be placed upon the interactions between the structures and institutions of the corresponding societies, their people, and those abroad. No prior background of the region will be assumed or expected. However, students enrolled in this class will be expected to follow the news related to the Middle East on a daily basis.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
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Examine the different geographical areas that constitute the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)Assessment StrategiesWritten productCriteriaLabel the countries in MENA by completing a political map of the area with accurate names of states and regionsIdentify the similarities and differences between the Middle East and North AfricaIdentify and name on a map those countries that are currently considered part of the Middle EastIdentify and name on a map those countries that are currently considered part of North AfricaExplain why there has been a change over time with which countries are considered part of MENAExplain what culturally differentiates the Middle East from North AfricaExplain what is culturally similar between the Middle East and North Africa
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Identify the different ethnic/religious populations that constitute the population of the Middle East and North AfricaAssessment StrategiesWritten ProductCriteriaCorrectly label and define the different populations on a mapDescribe the historical relationships between the majority and minorities in each areaDescribe the current relationships between the majority and minorities in each area and possible trendsAnalyze the historical and current significance of those populations.Identify the regions the ethnic groups are locatedIdentify the different religious groups found in MENAIdentify the regions the different religious groups are locatedIdentify the different ethnic groups found in MENA
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Identify the different political and economic issues found in MENA and how they influence interaction with each other and the WestAssessment StrategiesWritten ProductCriteriaIdentify the different Western influences, political, economic, and cultural on the different regions of MENA on a mapIdentify the colonial influences in MENA and their significanceDefine and locate the different political systems found in MENALocate countries with oil economiesDescribe the difference in political influence between oil producing countries and non-oil producing countriesIdentify the different relationships, both historic and current, the West has with each of the oil producing countriesIdentify the relationships the West has with non-oil producing countriesRecognize the influence of colonialism in the different countries of MENAIdentify which European countries had a colonial interest or control over MENAExplain the rationale behind the colonial influence for each country colonizedExplain the ramifications of colonialism for each country colonized.Interpret the relationship between former colonial countries and their colonies in MENAExplain the relationship between countries in MENA and neo-colonialism from a historical perspectiveExplain the influence of oil on the economic and political climate of the regionExplain the influence of oil in regards to the relationships oil producing countries have with the WestAnalyze the historical and current significance of those influences
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Analyze the different social institutions found within MENACriteriaIdentify the different institutions and their functionsIdentify and describe the functions for each of the major institutions found in MENA (Family, Education, Media, Religion, Politics)Compare and contrast the same institutions in the WestIdentify the relationships between the social institutionsInterpret historical changes in social institutions until the presentIdentify the similarities between social institutions in the U.S. and MENAIdentify the differences between social institutions in the U.S. and MENAIdentify the historical factors that influence the differences in institutions
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Interpret the major areas of misunderstanding between the U.S. and MENA and the influence of the media in the misunderstandingsAssessment StrategiesWritten product (Timeline)CriteriaTimeline includes the stated issues, the personalities and the underlying global and social contextsTimeline includes the sequence of events that have led to the current general attitude of the U.S. towards countries in MENAIdentify the major components of misunderstanding between the U.S. and MENA and the major players in the conflictsExplain the influence of the media on the past and current misunderstandingsAnalyze different media types and the change over time of the representation of the people and politics of MENAIdentify the change over time of the attitudes of the U.S. towards MENAIdentify and define the main areas of misunderstandingChart the type and amount of media coverage over timeAnalyze how stereotypes are used in the mediaDiscuss how events influence the strength/weakness of a stereotypeRecognize and identify the origins of stereotypesIdentify how stereotypes are perpetuated by the mediaIdentify specific occurrences that brought MENA into the public eye in the U.S.Discuss the relationships between stereotypes and the mediaDiscuss the ramifications of stereotypes and policy in the U.S.
This Outline is under development.