History of Islam and the Middle East, Since 1453 This course is an introduction to the major institutions that evolved under the aegis of what we might call Islamic civilization since the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. The principal geographic areas covered are the Middle East and North Africa. Major topics include the rise of the Ottoman and Safavid Empires, Western intervention and colonialism, nationalism and state formation, and the challenges of and responses to modernization. Pre-1800.

Febe Armanios

Chill course to get the history requirement and one region requirement out of the way. Midterm was quite easy because a comprehensive study guide was provided, and  the final is take home so I doubt that will be an issue. There is some reading, but it's far from an overwhelming amount. Two of three possible short essays must be written over the term, but grading is fairly lenient. The course material is interesting and the lectures are engaging, even as someone with little to no past experience with Middle Eastern history. 