History of 20th Century Middle East

About the course: This course covers the modern Middle East in the age of imperialism, world wars, state formation, decolonization, and Islamic resistance. The first part of this course analyzes the 20th century through the frameworks of personal self-narrative. During the second half the course, the overarching frame shifts to prosopography. Prosopography is an investigation of the common characteristics of a group of people, whose individual biographies may be largely untraceable or fragmented. Thus, research subjects are analyzed by means of collective study.

This lesson introduced students to primary sources and guides them in searching the Library of Congress to find and analyze sources related to the Middle East in the 20th century.

• Learn how to analyze textual and visual primary sources. 
• Learn how to find and understand metadata that accompanies primary source digital objects. 
• Learn how to navigate and use the Library of Congress website to find digital collections and other digitized materials. 
• Develop skills to critically examine, interpret, and evaluate historical evidence.

Discipline(s)

Middle Eastern Studies, History, Anthropology

Time Needed

Two class periods (45 minutes each)

Original Course

MENA 480/580: History of 20th-century Middle East

Lesson Plan Created By

Dr. Julia Clancy-Smith, School of Middle East and North African Studies, and Niamh Wallace, University of Arizona Libraries