HIST 383 - Modern Iraq

Iraq is a pivotal country in recent Middle Eastern history and as regards U.S. foreign relations and war-making in the region. Iraq’s difficult and fascinating history has reflected some of the most enduring problems of the modern Middle East and provides ample room for their study, including problematic colonial foundations; social inequality and uneven development; oil and foreign intervention; militaristic authoritarianism; and sectarianism and national fragmentation. Moreover, since the 1980s the U.S. has become increasingly entangled with Iraq, at great cost to both parties, backing it in one war and then invading it in two others. This is critical ground both for the study of U.S. relations with the Middle East and the Muslim world and for thinking about the U.S. role in the world more generally.

Prerequisites & Notes: Any 100- or 200-level course in HIST, or instructor permission.
Credits: 5
Grade Mode: Letter