HIST 304: Middle East Intellectuals and Modernity

HIST 304: Middle East Intellectuals and Modernity
Toksoz,Meltem
Thursdays, 01:20PM-04:10PM
Allbritton 004

How have Middle Eastern intellectuals conceived and discussed modernity? We will use this question to analyze the variety in the history of thought in Middle Eastern societies in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Modernization, formation of the modern state and issues of nationalism, imperialism and colonialism, main intellectual questions of the time, will form the framework as we analyze their political, social, and cultural impact on the production of knowledge in the Ottoman and post-Ottoman lands. As such it is NOT a history of the Middle East but rather a history of mentalities, organized around four thematic/chronological modules (Reform, Modern State and Constitutionalism/Panislamism, Nationalisms and Colonialisms) each representing a set of concepts, ideas, and movements as well as facts and problems, all of which will be compared to the larger world of modern state formation both in thought and practice. The principal aim is to familiarize students with the processes of modernization in the making of the modern Middle East.

Common “Snow-ment” Cancelled

Due the delay to the beginning of the Spring 2022 semester, the Common “Snow-ment” that had been scheduled for January 19 has been cancelled.  We hope to reschedule when the public heath situation improves.

Adjustments to the Spring 2022 Academic Calendar

Please note the following adjustments to the Spring 2022 Academic Calendar

Remote drop/add attendance

January 27 and 28 classes will be held online.  During those two days, faculty have the option of allowing non-registered students to attend remotely. You can see which courses have made available the “Remote Course Access” in your WesPortal in the courses bucket or in the alert box. You will have access to link in WesPortal until 11:59 p.m. Friday, January 28.

Beginning on January 31, classes will be meeting in-person. Students should not attend in-person classes for which they are not registered, unless they have retained explicit permission from faculty. This is due to strict requirements for Covid classroom capacity compliance.

Grading Mode

Only courses offered for “student option” grading mode allow students to choose between taking the course for A-F or CR/U.  Please be sure to confirm your grading option in your courses by 5 p.m. on February 23.  

Jan 20 – Feb 9 Drop/Add period
Jan 20 – Feb 9 On-campus enrollment period for undergraduates and graduates
Jan 27 Classes begin
Feb 23 Grading mode option deadline 5:00 p.m.
Mar 4 Last day to withdraw from 3rd quarter classes
Mar 11 3rd quarter classes end
Mar 12 – Mar 20 Spring break
Mar 21 4th quarter classes begin. 4th quarter classes may be added or dropped during the five working days following the first class meeting
Apr 27 Last day to withdraw from full semester and 4th quarter classes
May 4 Classes end
May 5 – May 9 Reading period
May 10 – May 13 Final examinations