Course Descriptions

HIS 5312 Modern Algeria: 3(3-0) 

This course surveys the political and economic origins and development of modern Algeria. It will trace the origins of Algeria from before the Ottoman regency, through the long transforming period of French colonization, through to the establishment of the modern independent state. The state-building policies of independent Algeria’s first two presidents, Ahmed Ben Bella and Houari Boumedienne, will be considered as will be the growing economic difficulties of the 1980s and their political consequences. The crisis of 1988 and the subsequent period of political liberalization (1989-1992) will be examined, along with the drift into the serious social and civil conflict of the 1990s. The course will conclude with an analysis of the return to more authoritarian policies and the search to find social and political peace in the new century.

HIS 5325 Colonization and Decolonization in North Africa and the Middle East: 3(3-0)

The course will examine the various experiences with colonization and decolonization processes in the North Africa and Middle East region from a comparative perspective. Starting with Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of Egypt in 1798, case studies will present the different patterns of direct French rule in North Africa and Britain’s “informal Empire” in the Middle East. Also, the role of the Ottoman Empire as a colonizing power shall be taken into account. Furthermore, the course will compare the motivations and strategies of national liberation movements in different parts of the region, contrasting secular and religious ideologies with the pragmatic and charismatic uses of power by military leaders as the dominant agents of decolonization.

HIS 5361 History of North Africa : 3(3-0)

The course seeks to trace the history of the area during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries by connecting it to its pre-colonial past.  The module is informed by the theoretical and conceptual tools of social and cultural history, anthropology and literary theory. Taking into consideration the political and economic history of North African societies since the advent of colonialism to the present, this course will also attempt to deal with the social and cultural history of ordinary people and the way they were affected by different historical forces. The course is intended to introduce the students to new ways of how to start conceiving the history of the Maghreb from a “bottom up” perspective. From a thematic approach, we will deal with three broadly conceived periods: the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial history of North Africa. After an overview of the pre-colonial period, the course will concentrate mainly on the colonial and postcolonial periods. The students will be introduced to various themes, such as, the pre-colonial tribal system, religious legitimacy, the colonial encounter, rural and urban resistance, nationalism, working class history, women’s history, Islamic movements, democracy and the challenge of modernization and economic globalization in North Africa.

HUM 5361 Amazigh (Berber) History and Culture: 3(3-0)

HUM 5323 Politics in North African Literature and Films: 3(3-0) 

This course examines the handling of political themes and issues through a selection of North African films and works of literature over a varied time period.

INS 5304 Moroccan Foreign Policy and Diplomacy: 3(3-0) 

This course looks at the development and formulation of Morocco’s foreign policy since independence in 1956. In addition it provides a historical overview of the major events and developments of the post-independence period. The course also examines the issues and actors involved in the making of policy and the changing nature of the regional and international context in which Morocco has had to adapt itself.

INS 5319 Special Topics in North African and Euro-Mediterranean Studies: 3(3-0) 

Specially scheduled courses on significant issues or topics relevant to the study of North Africa and Euro-Mediterranean region.

INS 5326 United States-Maghreb Relations: 3(3-0) 

This pro-seminar examines history and development of United States foreign policy towards the Maghreb from the 18th century onwards. Particular emphasis is placed on political and economic cooperation and conflict during the Cold War and current efforts to enhance economic ties through free trade agreements and economic initiatives. Various aspects of military and security cooperation are also discussed within the framework of the overall relationship.

INS 5361 Political Economy of the Middle East: 3(3-0) 

The course studies the connection between the political and economic foundations of the societies of the Middle East and North Africa. Starting from the analysis of the natural resource base, the course will cover some of the ‘classic’ debates that have marked the study of the economies of the region: the challenges posed by rapid demographic growth, or by the imperative of agricultural development in an arid or semi-arid environment, the problem of the ambivalent opportunities offered by oil and other mineral wealth, the persistent unbalance of the economic structures. In presenting these debates the course will address questions concerning the choices and conditions which influenced the evolution of the economy of the states of the region and their impact on the political and social systems that have experienced them. Particular attention will be dedicated to the origins and effects on the region of neo-liberal political economy approaches over that last three decades.

PHI 5387 Islamic Philosophy and the West: 3(3-0) 

The course examines the development of philosophy within Islam and the relationship between Islamic philosophy and other intellectual traditions outside the world of Islam, notably with the traditions of Western thought. This relationship, whether characterized by dialogue or conflict, has been a constant one, such that it is impossible to properly understand either Islamic philosophy or Western philosophy independently of each other. The course will thus follow Islamic philosophy through its many individual representatives and schools over time, and through its influence on, its borrowing from and its criticisms of Western thought.

PSC 5361 Islam and Democracy : 3(3-0)

The purpose of this course is to explore the relationships between the different forms of Islam -Sunni and Shi'i- and democracy, with a special emphasis in North Africa. As it examines the concepts of state and of democratic” institutions within Islam -such as shura-, it analyzes the reform movements of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries looking at jihadist movements in Tunisia, Egypt, and the Ottoman Tanzimat movement. The rise of fundamentalist organizations such as the Muslim Brotherhood and their response to modernist, western inspired political change is also debated. The post World War II era is studied in light of the growing conflict between secular-oriented state ideologies and Islamists. The recent political experiences of North African states in dealing with what is called political Islam and the different dilemmas it entails -about women, social justice and secularism for instance- are also examined.

PSC 5370 North African Government and Politics: 3(3-0) 

This course examines the government, politics and international relations of the states of the Maghreb. It covers such issues as the impact of history, post-independence state-building, the role of political parties, progress towards economic and political liberalization and relations between the states and with the wider world. Students will gain an understanding of developments and issues within individual countries and be able to compare issues thematically across the three states.

SSC 5302 Research Methodology: 3(3-0) 

This course is designed to initiate students to both theory and practice of methods in social science research. The course will introduce students to major theories in the discipline. The course will present how a theoretical framework provides a means/method to approach and analyze any topic. The course will require students to practice a range of data collection and data analysis methods.

SSC 5304 North African Migration and Immigrant Communities: 3(3-0) 

This course will cover the issues caused by the growing problems of rural migration within North African countries and the establishment of North African immigrant communities in Europe. The course will begin by looking into the causes for rural migration, focusing on the post-independence period. The social impact of rural migration on the economic and political well-being of North African states will be discussed. The subsequent migration of large numbers of North Africans to Europe and the establishment of immigrant communities with different cultural, religious, and linguistic identities from that of the host societies will be examined.

SSC 5361 North African Societies : 3(3-0) 

This course examines the political, economic, and social organizations in the contemporary Maghrib, including Mauritania, from a social science perspective. The main focus of the course is on how these various systems interlink with each other, the influences from outside of the Maghrib (from Africa, Europe, and the Middle East), points of unity between Maghrib societies, and points of difference between them. The course has required field exercises where students have the chance to investigate particular topics such as popular religion, contemporary development projects, impact of economic change on "traditional" societies, "traditional" and modern political organization, among others in greater depth. All class field exercises are required to complete credit for the course.