Semester | fall semester 2018 |
Course frequency | Once only |
Lecturers | Alp Yenen (alp.yenen@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
Content | The proseminar Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is an introductory survey of the historical and political roots of the conflict, starting from the late 19th century Ottoman rule with the initial encounter between the first wave of Jewish immigrants and the local Arab inhabitants, and its transformation over the years through the period of the British Mandate and the establishment of the State of Israel to the contemporary struggle between State of Israel and Palestinians under the rule of both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Analyzing the evolution of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict with a multidimensional perspective provides a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the complex dynamics of the conflict which is crucial for better understanding of the socio-cultural structure and the constantly changing political geography of the Middle East. The conflict also marks an international dimension by connecting the region through the tragic history of the Holocaust with the history and politics of leading Western countries. The role of Jewish and Palestinian diasporas spread through the world additionally enhances the transnational affairs of the conflict in distant places. However, within this international frame the strong symbolic meaning of this conflict also constitutes a platform of propaganda for external and regional powers pursuing their own interests in the region and in their domestic politics that exacerbates the irresoluble character of this zero-sum total conflict. As an existential struggle for both sides, this conflict reveals itself with variations of religious extremism and the rivalry of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism with their clashing narratives of ‘self and other’(based on victimhood culture demonizing/dehumanizing/delegitimizing each other) as well as mutual existential threat perceptions and regarding security dilemmas. On the one hand, anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism and anti-Judaism have become a part and parcel of Middle Eastern and Arab/Muslim political discourses that legitimizes and supports violence against Israel and Jews. On the other hand, discriminative discourses/activities against Palestinian Arabs take place among the Israeli society and preemptive strikes have been adopted as one of the major national security strategies of State of Israel. |
Bibliography | A syllabus will be provided at the first session of semester. |
Comments | Das Proseminar wird von Selin Yilmaz gehalten. |
Admission requirements | Students must be able to read, speak, and write in English. Max. number of participants is limited 30. |
Language of instruction | English |
Use of digital media | No specific media used |
Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
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No dates available. Please contact the lecturer.
Modules |
Modul: Basis Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: Jewish Studies) Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften B.A. (Bachelor's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften B.A. (Bachelor's Studies - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) Modul: Grundlagen der Islamwissenschaft (Bachelor's degree subject: Middle Eastern Studies) Modul: Vertiefung Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: Jewish Studies) |
Assessment format | continuous assessment |
Assessment details | Requirements will be declared at the first session of the semester. |
Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
Scale | Pass / Fail |
Repeated registration | no repetition |
Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
Offered by | Fachbereich Nahost-Studien |