Rollins College Hamilton Holt School Summer 2011
Egypt and the Arab Uprisings INAF-315X (60052- 4 credits)
Professor: Stephen Day E-mail: [email protected]
Location: Cornell 121 Cell phone: (407) 284-7787
Time: Tuesday & Thursday, 6:00 - 9:10 pm!! !
At the start of 2011, Egypt and other countries in the Arab world suddenly experienced popular uprisings to bring down old authoritarian regimes and demand democratic rule. It was long speculated in international affairs that the Arab Muslim countries of the Middle East and North Africa were immune to popular demands for democracy. Unlike the democratic revolutions that swept eastern Europe in the late 1980s and 1990s, as well as parts of Asia and a few countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, the Arab world was not expected to cast off authoritarian rule in the new century. There were many reasons for this lack of expectation and anticipation of what played out dramatically on the streets of Cairo and other cities, and our course begins by explaining why. In addition, we examine general theories about social movements and revolutions around the world.
Since our course deals with an ongoing subject matter, for which there is not a lot of research published in book form, our approach is necessarily experimental. This means that we will build much of our reading material together as a team of investigators, relying mainly on internet sources. The only assigned texts in the course are two books on Egypt, and one magazine publication by “Middle East Reports.” The rest of our readings will come from analyses on several good websites. During the semester, we will examine developments in six countries: Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya, and Syria, following the order in which these countries were involved in the wave of protests in early 2011. Our goal is to examine the factors which created uprisings in each country, while speculating on what the results mean for the future.
Course Texts:
Alaa Al Aswany, J. Wright (Translator), On the State of Egypt, Vintage, 2011. ISBN-10: 9780307946980 ISBN-13: 978-0307946980 Retail price = $24.95
John R. Bradley, Inside Egypt, Palgrave Macmillan; Updated edition, 2009. ISBN-10: 023061437X ISBN-13: 978-0230614376 Retail price = $16.95
“People Power,” Middle East Reports, Number 258, Spring 2011. Retail price = $7.00 Readings: The required readings for the first three weeks of the semester appear in the course schedule below. Additional readings on the internet may be provided. These reading assignments must be completed prior to each class date. The readings for the last three weeks of the semester will be supplied in advance by Week Three, as they will come entirely from websites on the internet. One great resource is an interactive timeline on The Guardian newspaperʼs website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2011/mar/22/middle-east-protest-interactive-timeline
All readings from the internet will be posted on the course webpage which can be accessed on- line through the Rollins College FoxLinks system. It is worth checking this webpage at least once per week, especially a day before each class. Students are also encouraged to read regularly from the Middle East news sites linked on the course webpage.
Presentation: During the semester each student will be assigned to present readings on one of the last three countries analyzed this semester: Bahrain, Libya, and Syria. These presentations will be given in class by teams of 4 or 5 students, so there will be an opportunity this semester to develop skills working in a group, cooperating together on an assignment. Each student will be expected to speak about the readings in 10-15 minute presentations during Weeks Four through Six. As a follow up to each presentation, all students will participate in a Question/Answer session.
Research Paper: There is one written assignment for this course. The topic is for each student to choose. However, the topic must meet the professorʼs approval by Week Four. Students are encouraged to suggest topics and receive feedback before this date, either in class or by email. This is a research assignment, so students will rely on other books, journals, magazines, websites, etc. The number of sources cited in the paper should be more than five, but the total sources researched (i.e. appearing in the bibliography) should be greater than ten. When citing sources for quotations or general information, ideas, and theories, it is okay to use footnotes, endnotes, or the MLA citation method. A bibliography should be attached at the end of the paper. No title page is necessary. This semester research paper is expected to be 10-15 pages in length, and it is due on August 2. Please double-space the finished paper, and use one inch margins with standard font set at 11 or 12 point. Leave plenty of time to spell check and proofread! If you leave many simple errors in your paper, then this will detract from your grade. It is preferred that you hand in a hard copy of your paper on the date it is due. Late papers will be given a deduction at the rate of one-half letter grade each day. If a paper is late due to a documented health or family emergency, then the late penalties will be waived.
Final Exam: The final exam is comprehensive, covering all of the course material. The exam will include one essay question dealing with general subjects explored during the semester, plus additional short answer questions related to important course concepts. The emphasis in the final examʼs essay section is on the studentʼs writing clarity, organization of ideas, and development of a persuasive argument.
Grading: All components of this course, including attendance, will count towards a studentʼs final grade. The final grade for this course is calculated according to the following percentages: Attendance/participation: 20% Presentation: 10% Research paper: 40% Final exam: 30%
The percentage for attendance/participation is broken down on a 2:1 ratio. Attendance is checked each week, while participation is evaluated in terms of how well a student joins in class discussions (actively or passively), question/answer sessions, and other in-class activities. If a student misses 2 class sessions, then this may lead to a deduction of one-half of the attendance score. If 3 classes are missed, then the full attendance score may be forfeited. If 4 class sessions are missed, then a student may receive a failing grade for the entire course. It is important to arrive in class on time, and stay until the class is over. If this is not possible, then please let the professor know the reason.
Academic Honor Code Membership in the student body of Rollins College carries with it an obligation, and requires a commitment, to act with honor in all things. Because academic integrity is fundamental to the pursuit of knowledge and truth and is the heart of the academic life of Rollins College, it is the responsibility of all members of the College community to practice it and to report apparent violations. The following pledge is a binding commitment by the students of Rollins College: * The development of the virtues of Honor and Integrity are integral to a Rollins College education and to membership in the Rollins College community. Therefore, I, a student of Rollins College, pledge to show my commitment to these virtues by abstaining from any lying, cheating, or plagiarism in my academic endeavors and by behaving responsibly, respectfully and honorably in my social life and in my relationships with others. This pledge is reinforced every time a student submits work for academic credit. Students shall add to all papers, quizzes, tests, etc., the following handwritten abbreviated pledge followed by their signature:
“On my honor, I have not given, nor received, nor witnessed any unauthorized assistance on this work.” Material submitted electronically should contain the pledge; submission implies signing it.
Equal Opportunity Policy Rollins College is committed to equal access and does not discriminate unlawfully against persons with disabilities in its policies, procedures, programs or employment processes. The College recognizes its obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to provide an environment that does not discriminate against persons with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability on this campus and anticipate needing any type of academic accommodations in order to participate in your classes, please make timely arrangements by disclosing this disability in writing to the Disability Services Office at (Box 2613) - Thomas P. Johnson Student Resource Center, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park, FL, 37289 or call 407-646-2354 for an appointment or email: [email protected].
Course Schedule Week One June 28 Introduction June 30 Theories of Social Movements and Revolutions Readings: Handout in class, Sidney Tarrowʼs “Power in Movement,” 2nd Edition, 2006 -- Introduction, pp. 1-7; Chapter 1, pp. 10-25; Conclusion, pp. 196-210.
Week Two July 5 Background to Arab States: History and Politics Readings: Middle East Reports, “People Power,” entire magazine issue. Introductions to books on Egypt by Al Aswany and Bradley July 7 Tunisiaʼs Uprising and the Fall of President Ben Ali Readings: Guardian: How man setting fire to himself sparked an uprising !!!http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/dec/28/tunisia-ben-ali Wikileaks Cable on Ben Ali of Tunisia -See Yellow Highlights !!!http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/217138 Sidi Bouzid Protest Map, 12/27/10 http://24sur24.posterous.com/sidibouzid-protests-map Poem that Inspired Tunisian Revolution http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1381/al-shabbis-the-will-to-life Arab Human Rights: Tunisian Pinochet Responds 12/29/10 http://www.anhri.net/en/?p=1884 Guardian: Confusion, fear and horror in Tunisia 1/16/11 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/16/tunisia-gun-battle-army-tunis Tunisia puts focus on West-Arab security ties http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/16/us-tunisia-security-idUSTRE70F0XP20110116
From Jadaliyya website: http://www.jadaliyya.com/ !!!Essays by Bassam Haddad Tunisia Unraveling:"I Got You" Was Two Decades Too Late Mr. Zein al-`Abideen January 14 Why, What, Where To, and How? Tunisia and January 15 My Mother and My Neighbor's Dog on the Tunisian Revolution and Its January 27
Essays by Mohammed Bamyeh The Tunisian Revolution: Initial Reflections [Part 1] January 17 The Tunisian Revolution: Initial Reflections [Part 2] January 21
Essay by Hesham Sellam What Happens in Tunisia Stays in Tunisia January 19
Essay by Noureddine Jebnoun Tunisia's Glorious Revolution and its Implications January 26
Essay by Nouri Gana Essay by Noureddine Jebnoun Let's Not Forget About Tunisia January 30 Amnesia: Ben Ali's Infamous Legacy May 20
From Jonathan Wrightʼs Blog: http://jnthnwrght.blogspot.com/ Wednesday, 19 January 2011: Tunisian uprising; Ben Ali's downfall and its precedents; Ben Ali's family and 'clans' in general; Some Tunisian tidbits Thursday, 20 January 2011: Zalmay Khalilzad thinks US can make a difference; What are the Tunisian generals doing? Friday, 21 January 2011: The Renaissance of the Nahda (Renaissance) Party
Week Three: July 12 Egypt Before the Uprising Readings: John R. Bradley, Inside Egypt, Chapters 2 & 5-8 Alaa Al Aswany, On the State of Egypt, Sections 10-16 of Part One The Presidency and Succession, pp. 35-64 From Jadiliyya Website Egypt's Three Revolutions: The Force of History behind this Popular Uprising, Feb 6 The Long Shadow of the 1952 Revolution, Feb 13 The Arab Revolts: Ten Tentative Conclusions, Feb 21
July 14 The Fall of President Mubarak Readings: Continue Alaa Al Aswany, On the State of Egypt, Part Two From Arabist Blog -- early January 2011, surf forward on this site for Feb-June news http://www.arabist.net/blog/?currentPage=24
From Jadaliyya Website -- early January, surf forward for Feb-June news “Our Assessment Is That the Egyptian Government Is Stable”: Thinking of Cairo from New York, Jan 28 Egypt Now: Moving to the Next Level as Protests Continue (Updated)
Omar Suleiman, the CIA's Man in Cairo and Egypt's, Jan 30 Egypt on the Brink: The Arab World at a Tipping, Feb 1 Egypt and the Future... Why Mubarak is Out "The Egyptian Revolution Lives. We will not accept anything less...", Feb 3 Making History in Tahrir, Feb 7 Statement of the April 6 Movement Regarding the Demands of the Youth... , Feb 8 Why Egypt's Progressives..., Feb 8 From the Blogosphere to the Street: The Role of Social Media, Feb 9 Two Down . . . As Mubarak Steps Down [Ongoing...] , Feb 11 The Egyptian Revolution: First Impressions from the Field, Feb 11 How Egyptian Women Took Back the Street Between Two “Black Wednesdays”..., Feb 20 Egypt: A Multi-Generational Revolt, Feb 21 The Revolution Against Neoliberalism, Feb 23 Paradoxes of Arab Refo-lutions, March 3 Return to Tahrir Square: May 27th (Ongoing Updates), May 27 Reflections on Egypt after March 19, May 31 Early Observations on Post-Mubarak, June 17
Week Four: July 19 Yemenʼs Uprising and the Fall of President Ali Abdallah Salih Readings: Continue Alaa Al Aswany, On the State of Egypt, Part Three From Jadaliyya Website, three essays by Prof. Day http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/701/so-who-will-be-next-to-fall-aas-of-yemen http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/780/yemens_popular-uprising-in-photos http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1390/culture-iii
Also read the essays by Lara Aryani http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/contributors/9701 & Steven Heydemann http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/contributors/14824
July 21 Bahrainʼs Uprising and the Continued Rule of King Hamad Readings: Jadaliyya Website and others
Week Five: July 26-28 The Libyan Uprising and the War to Remove President al-Qaddhafi Readings: Jadaliyya Website and others
Week Six: ***Research Paper Due August 2 ***Final Exam on August 4 August 2-4 The Syrian Uprising and the Unstable Rule of President Asad Readings: Jadaliyya Website and others