Syllabus: Understanding the History of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank

Wednesdays, 1pm–3pm PST

Meeting Dates: January 24, 31; February 7, 14, 21, 28

Cal Lutheran Fifty and Better (FAB Program), Online-Zoom Platform

Instructor: Jason Hensley, PhD, DMin; Jasonhensley@callutheran.edu

Course Description:

One of the challenges to creating an informed opinion is that everything happens in a context. While one can perhaps learn the specific actions that take place in the Middle East, and particularly in Israel and Palestine, without understanding the history of the area, one cannot hope to understand why those actions take place. Further, the actions in Israel and Palestine very much impact life here in the United States. This course will attempt to consider the history of the area and understand the roots of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Though it is an incredibly challenging topic to consider, it is imperative to understanding one of the most divisive issues of our era.

Topic Outline/Schedule:

Week 1, January 24: Settler Colonialism and the Empires that Conquered the Land (and the Origins of the Jews)

Week 2, January 31: When Judea became Palestine (and the Origins of the Arabs)

Week 3, February 7: The Islamic Empires, the British Empire, and the Origins of a Palestinian Identity

Week 4, February 14: Partition Plans, the 1948 War, and the Nakba

Week 5, February 21: The PLO, the Impact of 1967, and the Settlers

Week 6, February 28: Hamas, Oslo and the Netanyahu Era