New Introductory Courses in History (200-0-22)
Topic
Jews and Arabs in Palestine/The Land of Israel, 18
Instructors
Maayan Hilel
Crowe Hall, 5-155
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 – 5:00
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.
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-331: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
This course explores the complex social and cultural dynamics between ordinary Jews and Arabs in Palestine/The Land of Israel from the late 19th century to 1948. Moving beyond the conventional narrative of rivalry, violence, and conflict, we adopt a Relational History approach to uncover a richer and more nuanced understanding of this contested period. Focusing on interactions that extended beyond political tensions, we will examine shared identities, joint experiences, and daily encounters that shaped relations between Arabs and Jews. Topics include collaborations in mixed cities, the education system, business and labor markets, political organizations, leisure venues, and more. We will also delve into communal, personal and, at times, even romantic relationships that developed amidst the growing national struggle. Using primary historical sources, this course invites students to critically analyze how Jews and Arabs navigated their everyday lives in diverse public spheres, shedding light on an often-overlooked dimension of their shared history.
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 relation to it. -To be familiar 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.
Class Materials (Required)
Materials will be provided by instructor.
Class Attributes
Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area