Topics in Israel Studies (280-4-1)
Topic
Jews and Arabs in Palestine/The Land of Israel, 18
Instructors
Maayan Hilel
Crowe Hall, 5-155
Office Hours: Thursday 5:00 - 6:00
Dr. Maayan Hilel is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Jewish & Israel Studies, and Assistant Director of the Crown Family Center for Jewish and Israel Studies at Northwestern University. She is a historian of the modern Middle East specializing in the cultural and social history of Palestine / the Land of Israel. Her book manuscript explores the emergence of modern leisure culture in Palestine's urban centers during the formative years of British rule (1918-1948). Relying on relational history, it examines intercommunal relations and cultural transformations within Jewish-Zionist and Palestinian-Arab societies. Through archival research in Hebrew, Arabic, and English, her research focuses on the ways in which members of marginalized social groups such as women, children, workers, and villagers participated, experienced, and interpreted major historical changes that unfolded at that time.
Meeting Info
Locy Hall 111: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
This course will explore the historical relations between Jews and Arabs in Palestine/The Land of Israel from the close of the nineteenth century to 1948. According to prevalent assumption inside and outside academia, the relationship between Jews and Arabs in those years was solely characterized by mutual rivalry, violence, and conflict. This course, however, aims to challenge this belief by looking at diverse interactions that went beyond the political rivalry between the two communities. Relying on a 'History from Below' approach, we will examine shared identities and common experiences and discuss a wide range of daily encounters and collaborations that took place between ordinary Jews and Arabs in different public spheres such as mixed cities, education system, business and labor market, political organizations, leisure venues and more. Using primary historical sources, we will analyze the myriad ways in which Jews and Arabs formed personal and even romantic relationships in the background of the escalating national struggle
Learning Objectives
• To increase the understanding of the complex and multifaceted relationship between the Jewish and Arab communities. • To shape an informed historical opinion upon a contested historical period and encourage critical thinking in relations to it.
• To familiarize with recent scholarly developments, methods, and approaches in the historiography of Jewish-Arab relations in Palestine/The Land of Israel.
• To encourage active participation in class discussions and in critical evaluation of primary and secondary sources.
Evaluation Method
Class participation: 15%
Discussion posts: 15%
Midterm paper: 30%
Research Project: 40%
Class Materials (Required)
Materials will be provided by the instructor.
Class Attributes
Historical Studies Distro Area