Syria and Lebanon: Authority, Identity, and Violence
Syria and Lebanon: Authority, Identity, and Violence
Joel D. Parker
Course Description
This course would examine the 20th and 21st century developments that served to create the modern states of Syria and Lebanon, with an aim to understand the conflicts that enabled civil wars to break out. In addition, we would also consider periods of relative calm and stability to see what happened and how stability was achieved. It is important to understand the many changes in government and even territorial and political boundaries that have occurred in Syria and Lebanon to understand what is sometimes called “political culture” which is used generally describe the way most people including the leaders refer to the country’s political institutions.
It is important to understand how it is that Lebanon managed to go 29 months without a President, and how Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad managed to survive despite most countries in the world and many Syrians calling for him to step down. While these highlight some key differences between Syria and Lebanon, there are also many similarities which have often blurred the lines between these two states.
The class will examine the different types of political systems and constitutions that evolved in Lebanon and Syria as independent countries, even though both were ruled by the Ottomans and then by the French mandatory authorities until the 1940s. We will try to understand what makes Lebanon and Syria unique in the Arab world and examine the current situation. Issues ranging from jihadi violence to sectarianism and the international powers trying to influence these countries will be examined along-side the less political topics such as popular culture, music, food, and art.
The goal will be to develop an appreciation for these countries at the level of the actual population, while also grasping the larger structures that make up these states and their conflicts. In the process, we will employ multiple disciplines and media to grasp the economic, social, geographic and cultural elements that shape the political landscape. Moreover, we delve deeply into the historical evolution of the present-day situations and think out loud together on how things might have been different, and how even the Israeli-Levant relationship might improve in the future. If possible, we may also have one or two Skype calls with Syrians who have lived in Syria and who are willing to share their impressions on current events to add a personal touch to the course—something I find often lacking in academia.
Course Policy
Students are encouraged to take notes with paper and pen, based on research showing that this method is more effective than typing on a computer, and also because computers and other electronic devices can be distracting due to their multi-functionality. If this is simply impossible for you, there are exceptions.
Course Requirements This will be in following the guidelines of the Liberal Arts policy.
Minor assignments:
Following the interdisciplinary nature of the course, we will have three in-class projects, examining political, social and cultural aspects of the Levant. Students will be asked to search for articles relating to one of these aspects and write half a page or so on summarizing the articles they find. For one project, the class will focus on political parties, ideas, or personalities; for one project the class will discuss socio-economic factors; and in another class, we will delve into arts, literature, music or film to gain a full picture of life and society in the Levant today. While each student will be required to submit their summaries by email, our discussion will be in small groups, during class time and the dates of each of these three interactive classes will be announced in advance. These projects are considered important, and will amount to 20% of the final grade, or 5% for each individual project, and an additional 5% for in-class discussion.
Mid Term:
In addition, there will be a take-home mid-term exam, requiring each student to answer two short essay questions from a list of about five questions. Each answer will be at least two pages double-spaced on one-sided paper, printed, and handed in to me, as well as emailed in electronic form. This will comprise 15% of the final grade.
Final requirement:
For the final project, you are required to write a paper between 6-10 pages for this elective course- which will be submitted on July 1st, 2018. The required length is for standard margins, 12-pt New Times Roman (or similar) font, single sided and double spaced (1,500-2,500 words or so, not including footnotes). This will comprise 45% of your grade.
Attendance and Participation:
Attendance to class is mandatory in our program, and we do want to encourage an atmosphere of active participation in class. Students are allowed up to 3 unexcused absences. Attendance will be 20% of the grade, with up to 10% possible for demonstration of active and meaningful participation. Altogether, with the bonus, there are 105 points available, but only 95 available if you fail to participate in class.
