The Arab Revolutions: A Brief History
Taught by Reema and Matt
Matt Berkman is currently a researcher at the U.S./Middle East Project, a policy institute in New York City. He holds an M.A. from NYU in Middle Eastern Studies and will start his Ph.D. in Political Science this fall at the University of Pennsylvania.
Reema Hijazi is an Assistant Research Scholar at the NYU Center for Dialogues, which promotes cultural dialogue between the west and the Muslim world. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern Studies from NYU.
From Cairo and Tunis to Tripoli and Damascus, Arab peoples across the Middle East are rising up (mostly) non-violently to depose the autocratic regimes that have stifled their political freedom and economic prosperity for decades.
In this course, we'll take a look at the historical roots of the old regional order—from the demise of colonialism through the Cold War and into the age of the "War on Terror"—and learn a bit about the background of each country currently undergoing revolutionary upheaval. No background in Middle Eastern history or politics required. Anyone who wants to learn is welcome! There will be some reading before each class.
