Geography of the Middle East

This course is a survey of the regional geography of the Middle East, including the physical setting, environmental issues, socio-economic development and the historical evolution of the landscapes and cultures. Special emphasis placed on understanding the historical and societal backgrounds to such geopolitical issues as the Arab-Israeli conflicts in the 20th century, as well as current socio-economic development issues and the continuing “Arab Spring”, among others.

PDF version of Syllabus

Required Materials**
a) Aslan, Reza, No god but God: The Origins, Evolution and Future of Islam (2006), Random House (there is an updated 2011 edition – both versions are acceptable)
b) Tolan, Sandy, The Lemon Tree (2006), Bloomsbury Publications

-Additional reading materials from articles, books and the web will be assigned
throughout the semester.

Optional:
1) Held, C.C. and Cummings, J.T., Middle East Patterns: Places, Peoples and Politics (2011), 5th edition, Westview Press.
Reading Assignment 1: Chapter 2, pages 13-60 required for weeks 1 to 5
(http://geotest.tamu.edu/userfiles/GEOG320-500/Held_Cummings_2011_Ch-02.pdf)
2) Stewart, Dona, The Middle East Today: Political, Geographical and Cultural Perspectives (2008), Routledge Press (this is out of print and the 2nd edition is scheduled for release in December 2012).
** A list of geographic place names will be put on reserve in the Map Library (2nd floor of the Evans Library) during the first week. There will be a number of maps and atlases put on reserve in the Map Library for your use. More details outlined in class.

CLASS PERFORMANCE:
There will be three exams and a book review in GEOG 320 (see the outline and details below). The exams consist of objective (multiple choice, fill ins, matching) and short answers, and cover lecture materials, place names, audio-visuals, web assignments, text and any additional readings and homework assigned in class. Exams are worth 100 points. The Final Exam only covers materials since Exam 2. The book report (The Lemon Tree) consists of a 5 page, typed, written essay. Report style and format will be given in class. The No god but God book readings will be covered in Exam 2 and the Final as well as by homework.

** Final grades will be determined based upon the class curve. However, to ensure a grade, you must meet the following requirements:
90% and above = A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C
60-69% = D 59% and less = F

All materials generated for this class, which include but are not limited to syllabi, assigned readings, handouts, audio-video, and in-class lecture materials, are copyrighted. Because these materials are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy the handouts, unless I expressly grant permission.

As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one's own the ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot be safely communicated.

The Honor Code, based on the long-standing affirmation that “an Aggie does not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do”, is fundamental to the value of the A&M experience. Know the Code at http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu/
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*For rules and regulations regarding class attendance, behavior, make-up work, missed classes and exams, and others, please consult the 2012-2013 Texas A&M University Regulations Handbook at http://student-rules.tamu.edu/

Total points for the course are 400 arranged as follows:
Exam 1: 100 pts. - Tuesday, October 2
Exam 2: 100 pts. - Tuesday, November 6
Final Exam: 100 pts. - Friday, December 7, 12:30-2:30
Book Report (The Lemon Tree) 50 pts. – Thursday, November 15
Homework and Quizzes: 50 pts. – Throughout the semester

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the semester, you will be able to:
a) Locate on maps the major physical and cultural features of the Middle East
b) Describe the major geomorphic, geologic, hydrologic, and ecosystem characteristics of the Middle East
c) Evaluate the major environmental issues facing the people in the Middle East
d) Understand the historical geography of the cultures, religions and languages of the people of the Middle East
e) Comprehend the political geography of conflicts in the region
f) Understand the past, present and future of urban and economic issues in the Middle East
g) Write a book report on the continuing Israel/Palestine conflict with all its social and political ramifications

Assessment and Evaluation:
* The fundamentals of the topics outlined above will be discussed during lectures. The appropriate sections in the book(s) should be used for further study and reference. I will assign a number of articles/book chapters for you to read as well as provide 1-2 page handouts of the major topics discussed in class. Overall, you will be evaluated through quizzes, homework and exams.

* More specifically, the location of the major physical and cultural features will be evaluated by a map exam, while the biophysical component of the first five weeks examined via short answers, matching, and fill-ins. For the historical, geopolitical and urban-economic segments of the course (the remaining weeks), evaluation will also
include (in addition to the above) short and long essays. This will enable you to express in writing your cumulative knowledge of the topics. A number of take home readings, short movies or map assignments will also take place throughout the semester.

* You should start reading the No god but God book beginning with the historical lectures on Islam. The book materials will be assessed during both Exam 2 and the Final Exam. Take home questions on the book will also be assigned.

* The final step in the assessment is your capability to write a coherent 5-page book report on The Lemon Tree. The final page of the book report (page 5) consists of an update on the Palestinian-Israeli agenda since the publication of the book as well as your own thoughts. More details will be presented in class.