Los Angeles City College – Spring 2019

Political Science 14 - Politics of the Middle East

Prof. Joe Meyer

Mon. & Weds. 8am

Office Hours:

section: 27974

Mon. & Wed: 11am - 11:30am

Tues. & Thurs. 10-11am

And by appointment, all meetings must be held on campus, M - Th.

FH 219 i, x2562

email: meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu

TEXT ONLY (323) 920 – 5308

 

TEXT: "The Middle East," edited by Lust, E. Published by CQ Press/Sage... Get a USED EDITION - 13th is cheaper, 12th is even cheaper!. Both will work. we will use the first 8 chapters only. Current edition is 14th and is over $100 in the bookstore... Get a used edition online...

I will have one new and one used edition on reserve in the Library. We are only using the first 8 Chapters... they DO NOT need to be up to date.

Course Objectives:  Students will develop an understanding of the history and politics of the Middle East as a region, the various states of the Middle East and the region's impact on the world.

Student learning outcomes matrix:   

The student will (outcome)

Students will analyze the political changes in the Middle East.

To the following standard (criteria)

Students will identify the fundamental aspects of Middle East society and politics.

As measured by the following method (assessment)

A written in-class essay: Random samples of students' essays will be collected and assessed using the criterion referenced rubric by a faculty committee from the department.

And scored by the following rubric (rubric)

Exemplary; Identifies the correct fundamental aspects of American governmental structure and provides detailed examples, formulates a clear and precise response using own words, answers question with detailed response and follows all directions.

Acceptable: identifies the correct fundamental aspects of American governmental structure, articulates response in own words but does not express ideas clearly, answers question and follows directions.

Unacceptable: Fails to identify the correct fundamental aspects of American governmental structure, fails to formulate and clearly express response using own words, does not provide through answer, does not follow directions

This course meets IGETC 4H and CSU D8.

 

Class Rules and Expectations, etc...

 

All work is Due on CANVAS (see schedule below)

NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED.

No work will be accepted via email. No Late work will be accepted -

No Late Work will be accepted in this class. All late work will earn 0 points. No exceptions. You CANNOT TEXT Work! You CANNOT email work! All work is posted on Canvas in assignments.

 

Learn To Use APA.

You MUST use APA citation format for ALL THE written WORK in this course: click here for a great page on APA style citations.

Here is the official APA website: www.apastyle.org

 

Be Honest with Yourself! .... Maybe this Online Class isn't for you!?

You will read and write a GREAT DEAL in this class - if all this is too much - DROP THIS COURSE NOW!

All work is posted on CANVAS and when the assignment closes it is closed - done. NO LATE WORK!!

 

Use your class mates, sure, but DO YOUR OWN WORK!

You MUST adapt to the Schedule. It will not change for you.

The Canvas grade book is not the official gradebook of the class. Canvas may not know your grade at all. You can count your own points.

 

Leaving the class and returning is extremely rude and will not be accepted. If you leave, leave for the day...You have disrupted the class once by leaving DO NOT DO IT AGAIN by returning!

If you can't be still for nintey minutes at a time - maybe you should take a different class...

 

FH 219 - LACC ext. 2562 - On Campus Office Hours: 

Mon. & Wed.: 11 - 11:30am

Tues. & Thurs.: 10 – 11am

The BEST way is to text me at (323) 920-5308 (it's google voice - text only please). During office hours, I'll get right back to you, any other time of the week (Mon. - Thurs.), I'll try to get back to you with in the day.

Text me at (323) 920-5308. TEXT ONLY - I will do pick up or listen to voice messages on this number. I will respond with 24 hours (Mon. - Thurs.).

I prefer you use canvas message over email.

Or send me an email (meyerjn@lacitycollege.edu), Or call and leave a message at (323) 953-4000 x2562 (Non emergency calls only - I check it through our email system)

Only the proper use of phones and other devices to access the internet for class activity is allowed during class time.

Please silence your phones and PUT THEM AWAY!

No talking on the phone in class*

No texting in class.*

(No drunk texting EVER!)

*Offenders will be asked to leave the room for the remainder of the class. Second offenders will be suspended. Do not be children. Turn off your phone and put it away.

Please: Do not communicate with me using Facebook or any other social networking. I will not respond to any "friend" requests nor any communication using any social networking. They are not proper ways to communicate with me during the semester. If you wish to follow me on instagram: jopeyer

 

Please take this class seriously or DROP!

This class is transferable to UC and CSU systems and is a college level class. It meets IGETC 4H and CSU D8. We have no time for your drama, games, disruptions, nor for that matter, anything that distracts from the class. You are expected be an adult.

"Be Grown or Be Gone" We have no time for childishness.

Please do not involve me (nor the class) in the drama that is your life! Or your forgotten paper, pencil, etc. What grade are you in?

NO EXCUSES! Here is a list of real excuses sent to me from my online students. SPARE ME YOUR LAME EXCUSES!

Please don't just get up and walk out it. It is rude and disruptive. If you leave class, leave for the day, please. If you cannot "sit and stay" for an hour and twenty minutes... maybe this class is not for you....

 

Students must be prepared for each class day. This includes, but is not limited to, reading, writing, thinking, etc.

 

Course Schedule:

Week - DATE - READING - Lecture/discussions - Work DUE

1 – 2/4 - none - Maps & Intro to Poli Sci

2/6 Intro to Time Line – What is History

2 – 2/9 – "Iraq, Cradle of Civilization." (Part 1 - Legacy)

 2/11 - Class discussion #1 Thought Piece #1 Due on Canvas BEFORE midnight of 2/10 (Print it out or have access to it in class to use in our discussion)

3 – 2/18 NO CLASS - Begin Reading Chapter 1

2/20 - "Force from the Desert" (Part 3 - East to West)

4 – 2/25 – Library Day - meet in front of MLK Library.

2/27 - “The Muslim Renaissance” (Part 4 - East to West)

Course Project Declaration Due on Canvas BEFORE midnight of 3/3

5 - - 3/4 – "Rise of the Ottomans" (Part 6 East to West)

3/6 – “The Ottomans and the West” (Part 7 East to West)

Read chapter 1 by week 6:

6 – 3/11 - Nationalism, militarism, external factors

3/13 . Class Discussion #2 Thought Piece #2 Due on Canvas BEFORE midnight of 3/12 (Print it out or have access to it in class to use in our discussion)

Read Chapter 2 by week 7:

7 – 3/18 - Modernization, Social Change (or not). Political Development.

3/20 - QUIZ 1 (chs. 1-2)

Course Project "Working References" DUE on Canvas BEFORE midnight of 3/24

Read Chapter 3 by week 8:

8 - - 3/25 - Economic Development

3/27- Class Discussion #3 - Thought Piece #3 Due on Canvas BEFORE midnight of 3/26 (Print it out or have access to it in class to use in our discussion)

SPRING BREAK (4/1 – 4/7)

Read Chapter 4 by Week 9

9 – 4/8  - Stressed Regimes, Oil, and those without.

4/10 - QUIZ 2 (chs. 3-4)

Read Ch 5 by Week 10:

10 – 4/15 - The role of the Ulema

4/17 - -Discussion of Course Project Thesis and development of an argument. Course Project Thesis DUE Canvas BEFORE midnight of 4/16(Print it out or have access to it in class to use in our discussion)

Read Ch 6 by week 11:

11 – 4/22- Political verses Economic development

4/24 - Guest Speaker: Middle East in 21st century.

Read Ch 8 - by week 12 (out of order):

12 – 4/29- IR in Middle East from WWII - early '90s

5/1 & Ch. 13 - IR in Middle East from 90's - today!

13 – 5/6 - QUIZ 3 (chs. 5, 6 & 8)

5/8 - Simulation game on IR in Middle East.

Read Ch 7 by week 14

14 – 5/13 - Class Discussion #4 - Thought Piece #4 Due on Canvas BEFORE midnight of 5/12 (Print it out or have access to it in class to use in our discussion)

5/15 - QUIZ 4 (ch. 7)

Course Project DUE on Canvas BEFORE midnight 5/19

15 – 5/20 - Course Project Day! Poster and Presentation DUE in class!

5/22- SLO's and other assessments

Take Home FINAL EXAM DUE IN CLASS on the Regular day and time of Final Exam Week. See LACC web page for Final Exam Week Schedule. We will not do our final on Canvas. It must be "typed," handed in - on the scheduled day of the final.

Grading, Assignments, Etc...

Quizzes (4 at 25 each)

100 points

Course Project Declaration (25)

Course Project Working APA Bibliography (25)

Course Project Thesis Statement (25)

Course Project Poster & Presentation (25)

100

Course Project

100

Final Exam

100

Participation (includes Discussion Preparation essays on Canvas)

100

Total Possible Points

500

 

Approximate Points-to-Letter Grade scale:

A

500 - 450

B

449 - 400

C

399 - 350

D

349 - 300

F

Below 300

I will not grant an incomplete - so please do not ask!

 

For all work on Canvas - don't worry about headers, or format, etc –

Follow the directions and put things in the correct order .... Concentrate on content...

Discussion Prep... On Canvas.

Post a response to the prompt on Canvas of at least five paragraphs. PRINT it or have access to it in class to facilitate our discussions. These add up to half your participation grade.

Prompt for Class Discussion Preparation: #1 When was the first time in your life you became aware of "The Middle East" as a place in the world? What are the impressions in your mind associated with your first understanding of "That part of the world"? Were the first images you had "stereotypes"?

#2 Find a recent written media report or view a cable TV (or similar) US news broadcast about Islam, or Muslim culture or beliefs. Try to identify THREE things the report got correct and THREE things it got wrong about Islam, Muslim culture or beliefs. How much is stereotype?

#3 View any recent Western Motion Picture (film or TV show) that features on any aspect of the Middle East, Islamic culture, etc. Try to identify AT LEAST THREE distinct stereotypes and discuss them.

#4 Is there a realistic "path to peace" in the Arab/Israeli conflict in YOUR lifetime? Explain why or why not and what the US and other world powers could do to "help" the process along.

THE QUIZZES

Will be in class - essays and short answers. If you miss it - you missed it - no make-ups.

The Course Project "DECLARATION."

In one paragraph, simply state which country from the region you have chosen for your Course Project. Post on Canvas. Be prepared to discuss in class.

The Course Project "WORKING REFERENCES."

Use APA and list at least eight (8) college level sources you have already read and will use for your course project. Not Wikipedia (childish), nor blogs, nor other b.s., You should use academic journals, news sources, etc. (Your final Reference List will be longer!) Follow APA format. - Post on Canvas

The Course Project "WORKING THESIS."

In one or two sentences, take a stand on your country. Say something worth saying. Focus on the future. This should be close tot he thesis you use in your course project - the main point of your course project! Post on Canvas. Be prepared to discuss in class.

THE COURSE PROJECT: (1500 words (ten pages) (body of paper) APA style research paper.)

Focusing on the country you have chosen, answer the following questions:

First, briefly describe the recent history of you county (last eight years or so). Explain the impact of the "Arab Spring" on the politics, culture and economics of your country. Looking specifically at the following issues: the role of the Ulema, the ability of the leadership (political party or political elite) to stay in power (or not), the use of government and protester organized violence, the economic and political development (or not) and challenges, what are the prospects for "positive change" (more food, jobs, more political and social rights, transparency, lessen poverty, increase education and healthcare)? Or could that change be something else? Look five years ahead and make predictions about the changes that will occur in your country. Be bold but realistic.

The FINAL EXAM will be "a take home" of one or two essays that will be announced well in advance of the final and due on the scheduled day of the final. The Final CAN NOT be taken late.  

Your PARTICIPATION GRADE will be based on your active and positive participation in class. Of course your attendance and punctuality are a prerequisite for participation.   If you post your response to the discussion prompt you MAY earn points in the discussion... If you DO NOT post anything - you DO NOT get to talk... sorry - be prepared or - please - do not waste our time.

Students need to be on time and attend all class meetings.   Roll will be taken at the beginning of class. ALL WORK IS DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS!   If you are not present when roll is taken you will be marked absent.  Tardiness is simply rude and disrespectful.

Students with disabilities or who need any assistance or reasonable accommodation should contact the instructor.   Such students are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Services. You need to be your own advocate.

Students are encouraged to form and work in study groups. However, each student must do her or his own work.   Students who copy, cheat, plagiarize or in other fashion violate the spirit or letter (or both) of the rules of the College or the District (or both) may be excluded from this class, at a minimum.

PLEASE You need to stay in class all class long. Getting up and leaving and returning is VERY RUDE - PLEASE DO NOT DO IT. We are adults - Act like it please!.

 

For quick and interesting little intro to Islam please read:

 

Muslims love Jesus, too: 6 things you didn’t know about Jesus in Islam
https://www.vox.com/2017/12/18/10660648/jesus-in-islam-muslims-believe-christmas-quran

 

About the individual in Modern Life:

"One aspect of modern life which strikes me very much is the elimination of the individual. In trade, vast and formidable combinations of labour stand arrayed against even vaster and more formidable combinations of capital, and, whether they war with each other or cooperate, the individual, in the end, is always crushed under...

We live in an age of great events and little men, and if we are not to become the slaves of our own systems or sink oppressed among the mechanism we ourselves created, it will only be by the bold efforts of originality, by repeated experiments, and by the dispassionate consideration of the results of sustained and unflinching thought."

Nov., 12, 1901. Sir Winston Churchill.