Elie Chalala

Political Science 14, Middle East Government and Politics

Course Syllabus

Required Readings 

• Bernard Lewis, "Islam and Liberal Democracy: A Historical Overview"
• Robin Wright "Islam and Liberal Democracy: Two Visions Of Reformation"

• Rethinking Edward Said's 'Orientalism': An Interview with Charbel Dagher, by Elie Chalala

• Phenomenon: A Dishonorable Affair, By KATHERINE ZOEPF
• Arab Dictatorships: The Long and Winding Road Toward Democratic Reform in Baathist Syria and Iraq, BY ELIE CHALALA
• Arab Reaction to Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait, by Elie Chalala
• Syria’s Support of Iran in the Gulf War: The Role of Structural Change and the Emergence of a Relatively Strong State, BY ELIE CHALALA
• In the Gulf, A Shifting of Power Is Underway, BY ELIE CHALALA
• Syrian Policy in Lebanon, 1976-1984: A Course Of Ruthless Caution, BY ELIE CHALALA
• In Algeria’s Killing Fields: A Hidden Governmental Role, by ELIE CHALALA
• Generations of Catastrophe: The Palestinian Problem at Half a Century, by ELIE CHALALA
• Central Issues in the Arab Nationalism Debate, by Elie Chalala
• The Arab Spring--The Original Arab Revolution? by Elie Chalala

In-Class Discussion Topics

• How to Halt the Butchery in Syria, The New York Times
• Why is the Arab World soEasily Offended? The Washington Post
• Five Myths about Syria, by Roger Owen, Washington Post
• Why Syria Burns, The Washington Post
• Don't Fear All Islamists, Fear Salafis, The New York Times
• Syria's Fault Lines, Los Angeles Times
• The Ever-Growing Palestinian Problem, National Review Online

• How to Save Iraq From Civil War, The New York Times

• Why We Shouldn't Attack Syria (Yet), The New York Times

• Huntington's Clash Revisited, New York Times

• To Boycott or Not to Boycott: The Politics of Culture at Paris, Turin Book Fairs, by Elie Chalala, Al Jadid Magazine

Student Resources 

• Library of Congress Country Study

• BBC Country Profiles
• CIA: The World Fact Book
• U.S. Department of State: Countries and Other Areas
• A Time Line of the Ancient Middle East
• A Time Line of the Modern Middle East
• A Time Line of the Arabs, the Turks, and the Persians (and Central Asia)
• Global Connections Middle East Events Before 1900

• Global Connections Middle East Events 1900-1919

• Global Connections Middle East Events 1920-1949

• Global Connections Middle East Events 1950-1979

• Global Connections Middle East Events 1980-1999

• Global Connections Middle East Events 2000-2002