The Emergence of the Modern Middle East

This course will review the emergence of the modern Middle East from the fall of the Ottoman Empire, at the end of the First World War to the present. We will discuss the Ottoman legacy in the region and the Western imperial impact on the creation of the Arab state system. The course will review the rise and retreat of Arab nationalism, the problems of internal cohesion of the Arab states, issues of religion and state, and the evolution of Islamist politics. We will also focus on the evolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict and its impact on the region and will conclude with an in depth analysis of the “Arab Spring” by placing these contemporary revolutionary events in their historical context.

Please note that there is a second part to this course which is a direct extension of this part. We highly recommend to continue to the second part after you finish this one (https://www.coursera.org/learn/modern-middle-east-2/home/info).

This course will temporarily close for enrollment from March 1st, 2022 to August 31st, 2022. During this time, the course will be closed for new enrolments. All of the course materials will continue to be able available to previously enrolled learners; however, the course staff will not provide support in the Discussion Forums during this period.

Best,

The Tel Aviv University Team

What's inside

Syllabus

Intro

In our first lesson, we will locate the Middle East in time and space. We will get to know the 19th-century Middle East, the structure of its society and economy as well as the dynamics of its politics. We will then look into the dramatic change that took place in the last quarter of the 18th century, that is the widening gap between Europe and the Middle East as we will dwell on the impact this change had on the future of the region. We will conclude our first lesson with a discussion on the "Eastern Question," which refers to the fate of the Ottoman Empire and the balance of power in Europe.

Modernity, Tradition and the Age of Reform

Our second lesson is a discussion on the forces of modernity and tradition in the Middle East. The filtering of European ideas into the Middle East engendered a process of reform in the region throughout much of the 19th century. We will analyse two centres of reform in this respect, namely the Ottoman Empire and Egypt. This analysis will take us next to the Islamic responses to the crisis of modernity as a result of the inherent tension between faith and secularism. We will see how various Islamic thinkers tried to find a compromise between these obvious tensions and at times went in more fundamentalist directions.

The Rise of Nationalism; The Demise of Empire

In lesson three, we will witness the rise of nationalism in the Middle East, as it became a much more acceptable idea in the late 19th and early 20th century among an intellectual, elitist, urban minority, who were the graduates of western-style schools (remember lesson two and the process of reform!). We will concentrate on the emergence and development of three nationalist movements; Turkish, Egyptian and Arab. Lastly, we will speak about the First World War and how it brought the end of the Ottoman Empire as well as the end of 400 years of Ottoman Turkish rule in the Arab countries. We will also see how the Middle East began to take its current shape following the First World War.

The Creation of the Middle East State System

In our fourth lesson, we will be speaking about the creation of the Middle East state system in accordance with British and French designs after the First World War. First, we will discuss Egypt and how its distinct historical development gave way to a unique liberal experiment in Egypt during the 1920s and 1930s and consequently to a steady shift toward Islam and Arab nationalism. Second, we will discuss the area of the Fertile Crescent in comparison to Egypt and the creation of British (Palestine, Trans-Jordan, Iraq) and French mandates (Syria, Greater Lebanon) in this region. Our attention will then shift to the non-Arab states. We will learn about the creation of the Republic of Turkey on the ruins of the Ottoman Empire and the sweeping process of modernising reform under Mustafa Kemal. Lastly, we will take a look at Iran, which was, like Turkey, not a new state created by the Great Powers but a country with a long history and cultural tradition. Our discussion on Iran will include an overview of its history from early 16th century onwards as well as the basic principles of the Shi'a which shaped greatly the political culture in Iran.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the emergence of the modern Middle East from the fall of the Ottoman Empire, covering topics like Arab nationalism and the Arab-Israeli conflict

Taught by Professor Asher Susser, an expert in Middle Eastern history

Offers an in-depth analysis of the Arab Spring, placing these revolutionary events in their historical context

Syllabi provided covers key moments in Middle East history, from the Ottoman Empire to the rise of nationalism

This course has a break from March 1st, 2022 to August 31st, 2022

Reviews summary

Middle east history and context

Learners say this engaging course is largely positive, offering a well-paced, informative overview of the formation of the modern Middle East from the Ottoman Empire to the creation of the State of Israel. Well-explained videos, clear lectures from an engaging instructor, and helpful readings are key features of the course.

Engaging instructor provides clear lectures.

"Great teacher and really interesting class. I really enjoyed the teacher's way of explaining history."

"Excellent course with an exceptional teacher."

"Professor was very easy to understand. Thank you for offering these free courses."

The course is well-paced and informative.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course and learnt a great deal."

"The material was presented in an easy to understand format. I found the entire course very enlightening about how the complicated Middle East was formed."

"The course is conducted in a very simple and interesing way, encouraging to learn more about the Middle East."

Well-explained videos, clear lectures from an engaging instructor, and helpful readings are key features of the course.

"Recommended! The course offers a very interesting overview of the history of the region."

"The videos were very easy to understand and the additional readings adequately complement the information they gave us during the course."

"Fantastic course. Very interesting and engaging. The professor is very clear and straight to the point."

Essential course to understand the Middle East.

"This is a tremendous asset to any student of the Middle East."

"I am grateful to have been able to take Professor Susser's course."

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course, and I most appreciated the parallel processes in multiple areas of the Middle East."

Exams may be difficult.

"It was very difficult to develop the exams, pues las respuestas estaban en inglés, sin embargo fue llevadero."

"However, note takings are time consuming due to lack of presentational material during the lectures."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Emergence of the Modern Middle East - Part I with these activities:

Read and Review 'The Great Divergence: China, Europe, and the Making of the Modern World Economy'

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This book provides a comparative analysis of the economic trajectories of China and Europe, enhancing your understanding of the broader historical context of the Middle East's transformation.

View The Great Divergence: China, Europe, and the... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on the key arguments and evidence presented.
Analyze the book's relevance to the course content, particularly concerning the impact of Western ideas and technology on the Middle East.

Connect with Experts in Middle Eastern History

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Expand your knowledge and gain valuable insights by connecting with experts in Middle Eastern history, enriching your understanding of the region's complexities.

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Identify potential mentors through professional organizations, conferences, or online platforms.
Reach out to selected mentors, expressing your interest in their expertise and seeking guidance.

Gather Resources on the Arab-Israeli Conflict

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Enhance your understanding of the Arab-Israeli conflict by compiling a collection of relevant articles, videos, and other resources, fostering a deeper engagement with the course material.

Browse courses on Arab-Israeli Conflict

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Conduct research to identify credible sources on the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Organize the resources into a coherent collection, categorizing them by topic or perspective.
Share the compilation with classmates or other interested individuals to facilitate discussion and exchange of ideas.

One other activity

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Show all four activities

Lead a Study Group on the Rise of Arab Nationalism

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Solidify your understanding of Arab nationalism by leading a study group, fostering deeper engagement with the material and enhancing your communication and leadership skills.

Browse courses on Arab Nationalism

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Prepare a lesson plan or discussion outline on the rise of Arab nationalism.
Facilitate group discussions, encouraging active participation and critical thinking.
Provide constructive feedback and guidance to group members to enhance their understanding.

Career center

Learners who complete The Emergence of the Modern Middle East - Part I will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Economist

An Economist studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and politics of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding the region's economic development and economic issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economist

Museum curator

A Museum Curator manages and preserves museum collections. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and culture of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding and interpreting the museum's collection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Teacher

A Teacher instructs students in a variety of academic subjects. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and politics of the Middle East, which can be valuable for teaching students about the region and its current events.

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Nonprofit Manager

A Nonprofit Manager plans, organizes, and directs the activities of a nonprofit organization. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and politics of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding the region's social issues and developing effective programs to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Lawyer

A Lawyer advises and represents clients in legal matters. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and politics of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding the legal systems and legal issues in the region.

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Historian

A Historian researches, analyzes, interprets, and writes about the past by studying historical documents and sources. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding the region's current events and political landscape.

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Archivist

An Archivist collects, preserves, and makes accessible historical documents and records. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and culture of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding and organizing the archives' collection on the region.

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Journalist

A Journalist investigates, gathers, analyzes, and reports on news and current events. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and politics of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding the region and reporting on its current events.

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Librarian

A Librarian organizes, catalogs, and manages library collections. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and culture of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding and organizing the library's collection on the region.

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Foreign Service Officer

A Foreign Service Officer represents the United States abroad and works to promote American interests. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and politics of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding the region and developing effective policies.

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Sociologist

A Sociologist studies human society and social behavior. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and culture of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding the region's social structure and social issues.

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Political Scientist

A Political Scientist studies political systems, governments, and public policies. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the political history of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding the region's current political landscape.

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Anthropologist

An Anthropologist studies the behavior, origin, and development of humans. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and culture of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding the region's people and their way of life.

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Development Officer

A Development Officer raises funds and manages donor relations for a nonprofit organization. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and politics of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding the region's social issues and developing effective fundraising strategies.

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Political Risk Analyst

A Political Risk Analyst assesses and mitigates political risks for businesses and organizations. This course may be useful in providing a foundation in the history and politics of the Middle East, which can be valuable for understanding the region's political landscape and assessing political risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Political Risk Analyst