Description of the course:
In this course
we survey the history of the Arabian Peninsula.
This semester we shall emphasize environmental history that allows
students to examine and discuss aspects of Arabian and Arab history, from
ancient to modern periods. Students with
an interest in the creation of the United Arab Emirates, and the Gulf region’s
wider role in the Middle East and the world economy.
We
consider recent research on ancient history and the rise of Islam in the Gulf
to modern periods. This research shows the long historical integration of the
Gulf into the trade and commerce of the Indian Ocean, and the Middle East. Students
will explore key leaders and transformations in the creation of the United Arab
Emirates, and the Gulf region.
Class visits to
local historical museums, including the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization,
may be integrated as a regular or supplemental feature of this course. Continued subscription and use of various
library databases, including the ebrary, Encyclopedia of Islam or the
Encyclopedia of Women and Islamic Culture (Brill Online).
Finally, I want
all of you to enjoy this course and to allow each of you an opportunity to
explore how the role of the Arab Gulf, and the UAE in the global economy and society is important
in your lives. We’ll make use of multimedia, and personal experiences and
various sources in shaping this course.
Our course
materials include the following:
1)
A pdf e-book
reader of primary sources and texts (downloadable)
2)
BB9 and One Note
reference files with a practice map and other exercises
3)
A course blog and
other multimedia that may be used by your instructor
4)
Selected
articles from the HCT library databases.
5) Several resources are useful: Archnet Timeline of Islamic Dynasties; the Museum with No Frontiers; Course Timeline and our Course Blog
5) Several resources are useful: Archnet Timeline of Islamic Dynasties; the Museum with No Frontiers; Course Timeline and our Course Blog
CourseLearning Outcomes
By the end of this course you
will be able to:
o CLO
1- Undertake an introductory survey of the history and culture of the Arabian
Peninsula and Gulf from Jahaliyya to the
rise of Islam
o
CLO 2- Compare the rise of Islamic
civilization with the formation of later empires from 622 - 1922 CE
o CLO
3- Analyze and describe the relations with the West, and the impact of the
European colonization of the Middle East, on Modern Arab societies and state
formation with emphasis on the Gulf States and the UAE in particular.
o
CLO 4- Develop research skills in
modern Gulf history and its relation to Arab and world history through the use
of local libraries, museums, archives and online databases and
resources
o
CLO 5- Compose written papers and
multimedia presentations with proper citations and use of sources
Course Assessment: A student must have a grade of 60% or more to pass.
Methods of
Evaluating Student Learning and Assessment Schedule
Assessment Schedule
Assessment
|
% Of total course mark
|
Due Date
|
Introduction to
Course; Key Concepts
Readings:
|
Week 1
|
|
Coursework
–Each week students present a summary and class discussion on an assigned reading,
BB9 or video based learning module or lesson worth 10 marks each week for a
total maximum of credit of 100 marks. 20%
of total grade.
|
10%
|
1-14
|
History of the Gulf – Rise
of Islam and Major Arab and Muslim Dynasties and Empires
Visit to Sharjah Museum of
Archaeology or Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization by class
OLZ Week 2 – Map review
|
Week 4
|
|
First Quiz on Arab History to 1500
|
20%
|
Week 4 or 5
|
Gulf Society 14th to 16th
centuries (1300 – 1500); Indian Ocean
Trade
Readings from Ibn Majid’s
text on the Indian Ocean and Arabian Seas.
|
Week 4 -5
|
|
The Portuguese Empire,
Dutch Empire, Persian Empire and British Empire rivalry in the Gulf (1500-1750)
|
Week 6
|
|
1st
Paper/Presentation on the Early Gulf History or Museum Visit
600-800
words with APA references and at least 2 in-text citations
|
20%
|
Week 6-7
|
British Empire in the Gulf
1800 – 1900; Ras al-Khaimah and
Qawasim resistance to British presence in the Gulf; comparisons with Oman, Yemen Saudi Arabia
Ottoman-Hejazi War in
Arabia (1810-1820)
|
Week 7
|
|
2nd
Quiz on the Gulf and the Middle East (1500 to 20th century)
|
20%
|
Week 8
|
Topics in Modern History of
the Middle East: Colonialism, Ottoman
Empire and the Arab Provinces; Imperialism, and the Mandate System; the Arab
Nahda, Arab Nationalism and Independence;
|
Week 8
|
|
One-page ungraded summary
of final project (250 pages with 2 APA references)
|
Week 8
|
|
Topics in Modern Gulf and Middle Eastern History
From World War I, 1948, 1967
and 1973 Wars; Oil Embargo; Rise of the UAE, GCC; The 1st and 2nd
Gulf Wars)
|
Weeks 9-11
|
|
Final Project Oral Presentation and Written Summary:
Oral or Multimedia Presentation on an aspect of
modern Gulf and Middle Eastern History – may be an oral interview or
study of local or regional
history from 1500 to present . The
oral presentation may be worth 15%
of total grade and the written
summary 15% 800-1,200 words with at least 2 intext Citations and APA References) at 15% of the total grade.
LO 1,2,3,4,5
|
30%
|
Week 13-15
|
TOTAL
|
100%
|
