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| Semester | spring semester 2023 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Daniel Zisenwine (daniel.zisenwine@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | The Israeli-Palestinian conflict attracts widespread interest that often exceeds the conflict’s actual dimensions. Beyond this general interest are many open questions concerning the nature, historical study, and possible solutions to the conflict. On the Israeli side, the conflict, and particularly the outcome of the 1948 war, is mostly viewed as a historical affair, far removed from the present. For many Palestinians, however, 1948 and its outcome is on open political question that weighs heavily on their existence and identity. Beyond the events of 1948, a new Palestinian generation embraced an armed struggle against Israel, which intensified after the 1967 Six Day War. We will discuss, after a series of introductory units on the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the ways in which the conflict is presented, studied, and internalized, and highlight the changes that occurred between 1948 and 1967. Moving beyond the conflict, we will also get acquainted with general theoretical approaches to history, nationalism, memory and identity that can be applied to other settings. |
| Learning objectives | Students will gain understanding of the emergence of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the rise of Jewish and Palestinian Arab nationalism, and the main issues surrounding the study and historical writing about the conflict. These issues influence discussions about the conflict and possible solutions up the present. |
| Bibliography | Introductory works are: Benny Morris, Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict 1881-2001, New York: Vintage Books, 2001; Muhammad Y. Muslih, The Origins of Palestinian Nationalism (New York, 1988), pp. 1-11, 69-88, 175-224; Rashid Khalidi, Palestinian Identity: The Construction of Modern National Consciousness (New York, 1997), pp. 145-175. |
| Comments | The maximum number of students is limited to 30. |
| Admission requirements | English as an academic language with adequate skills in written and spoken English. |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 22.02.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum E005 |
| Wednesday 01.03.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Fasnachstferien |
| Wednesday 08.03.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 15.03.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 22.03.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 29.03.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 05.04.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 12.04.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 19.04.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 26.04.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 03.05.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 10.05.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 17.05.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 24.05.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Wednesday 31.05.2023 | 12.15-14.00 | Soziologie, Hörsaal 215 |
| Modules |
Electives Bachelor Jewish Studies: Recommendations (Bachelor's degree subject: Jewish Studies) Modul: Areas: Europa Global (Master's degree program: European History in Global Perspective) Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften B.A. (Bachelor's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften M.A. (Master's degree subject: Political Science) Modul: Europäisierung und Globalisierung (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Modul: Fortgeschrittene Nahoststudien (Bachelor's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) Modul: Geschichte, Literatur, Religion (Master's degree subject: Jewish Studies) Modul: Neuere / Neueste Geschichte (Master's degree subject: History) Modul: Themen der Near & Middle Eastern Studies (Master's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) Modul: Vertiefung Geschichte (Bachelor's degree subject: Jewish Studies) Module: Conflicts and Peacebuilding (Master's degree program: Changing Societies: Migration – Conflicts – Resources) Module: Interreligious Relations: Key Concepts and History (Master's Studies: Interreligious Studies) Vertiefungsmodul Global Europe: Friedens- und Konfliktforschung (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Attentive reading of the assigned readings, submission of a short take home exam covering background preparation material that will be discussed in class during the first few sessions; submission of several short writing summaries on class readings; active participation and involvement in class discussion; further requirements will be given at the start 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 |