MESAS 100 is designed to provide students with a background in the history and cultures of the Middle East, from the dawn of Near Eastern civilization (ca. 3000 BCE) to the Golden Age of Islam and the era of the Crusades (ending in the late 13th century CE). An additional component of the course will relate modern events in the Middle East to their historical backgrounds. Mastering the course material will enable you to place past and current events in historical perspective. Our inquiry will be based on textual analysis, assessment of archaeological evidence, and historical theory. Close readings of classical texts as well as documentary materials will be combined with the examination of non-textual sources. Since writing and discussion are important parts of the intellectual experience, you will be expected to write short papers and quizzes and to participate actively in class discussions.
Note: This course will fulfill the first-course requirement for a MESAS major.