The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

8.5 hours per week: Total time commitment 102 hours

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The Arab-Israeli conflict remains one of the most complex dilemmas facing the new century. This course will trace the history of this conflict, from the beginning of Jewish nationalism to the present. Issues to be studied include Jewish migration to Palestine. the impact of the Holocaust. the Declaration of the State of Israel and the first Arab-Israeli war. the birth of the Palestinian refugee problem. the 1967 War and the rise of the PLO. the Jewish settler movement. terrorism and counter-terrorism. the peace process from Camp David to Oslo and beyond. and the Intifadas of 1987 and 2000. Students should leave the subject able to analyse the current situation in Israel with a sensitivity to the historical complexities and competing claims of the different sides of the conflict.

Students who complete this subject will

• understand the history of the Arab-Israeli-conflict from the late-nineteenth century to the present and identify the key historical events and people in the conflict.
• analyse the causes and effects of each of the Arab-Israeli wars and examine the most recent developments in the conflict and possibilities for the future.
• understand the origins and development of the State of Israel and identify key historical milestones in the history of Zionism, from its beginnings to the present.
• examine the origins and history of the Palestinian refugee problem from 1948 onwards and comprehend the history of the Palestinians and Palestinian nationalism in the twentieth century.
• understand the Oslo peace process and its breakdown.
• interpret and analyse the two Palestinian Intifadas.

A research assignment of 2000 words 45% (due mid-semester), a reflective essay of 2000 words 45% (due at the end of the semester) and class participation 10%.

Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five working days, no late assessment will be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who complete this subject will

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources.
• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument.
• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.