INTRODUCTION TO MODERN ALGERIA
HIS 364G- 39813/ MES 323K- 42247
Spring 2010
Instructor: Benjamin C. Brower
Office: Garrison 0.116
Office Hours: M 10:15-11:45; W 3:00-4:00, and by appointment
Telephone: 512-475-6994
Email: benbrower@mail.utexas.edu
Class Meeting Times: MWF 9:00-10:00pm
Meeting Place: PAR 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course presents the major themes of Algerian history from the sixteenth century to today. This story begins in 1516 and the Ottoman period, when formidable fleets of Algerian corsairs struggled with Spanish, French, and even American ships in the “jihad al-bahr” (jihad at sea). The course ends after a grueling but brilliantly won war of national liberation against colonial France (1954-62) became a revolution betrayed, when Algeria entered a period of terrorism in the 1990s. Algeria’s history intersects several fields of study (European, African, and Middle Eastern studies) and it is a country that has been home to Muslims, Christians, and Jews, speaking many different languages. The course seeks to give expression to these multi-religious and multi-linguistic traditions. Therefore, students should be ready to cross methodological and cultural borders.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Students will learn the skills of historical analysis and interpretation, along with the material described above. This will include the ability to grasp the complexity of historical debates and rethink received knowledge and concepts in light of new evidence. Coursework and evaluations will focus on students’ ability to articulate coherent and sustained arguments in writing and verbally. There are no pre-requisites beyond those generally associated with a course of this level.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
You will need to purchase the following books or use reserve copies in library.
- Henri Alleg, The Question (Bison Books, 2006), ISBN: 0803259603
- Assia Djebar, Algerian White (Seven Stories Press, 2003) ISBN: 1583225161.
- 3. Mouloud Feraoun, The Poor Man's Son: Menrad, Kabyle Schoolteacher (University of Virginia Press, 2005). ISBN: 0813923263
- Rachid Mimouni, The Honor of the Tribe: A Novel (William Morrow, 1992) 0688097464
- John Ruedy, Modern Algeria: The Origins and Development of a Nation (Indiana University Press, 2005) ISBN: 0253217822
Additional required readings noted in schedule of class meetings will be distributed electronically or placed on library reserve.
Other: Required material in the course also includes music, photographs, films and various visual texts such as music videos.
COURSE RULES:
- Students are expected to disable the Internet accessibility function of all electronic devises used in class.
- Cell phone use of any sort will not be tolerated.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Exams: There will be one midterm and a comprehensive final exam. These exams will consist of analytical ID’s and essays. A list of potential ID’s and questions will be distributed to prepare for the exams. SEE BELOW FOR DATES.
- Short response papers: In these papers you are asked to write four brief papers on the each of the books (Alleg, Djebar, Feraoun, Mimouni) we will read. You will summarize and analyze how each fits into the themes of Algerian history. Length: 2-3 pp., double-spaced, 12 pnt. font. Proofread carefully: correct use of language is expected and will figure in grading. Due dates: in the class meeting scheduled for discussion of each book.
Grades:
Midterm 25%
Final Exam 35%
Writing 25%
Participation 15%
Plus/Minus grading will be used for all grading in this course. The grade scale is as follows:
100-93% = A; 92-90% = A- ; 89-87% = B+ ; 86-83% = B ; 82-80% = B- ; 79-77% = C+ ; 76-73% = C ; 72-70% = C- ; 69-67% = D+ ; 66-63% = D ; 62-60% = D- ; below 60% = F.
ATTENDANCE:
- Attendance, preparation, and active participation in all course sessions are mandatory.
- Please familiarize yourself with the University’s policy concerning excused absences. Unexcused absences will impinge upon your final grade: 2 unexcused absences will result in the loss of 1 full letter grade; more than 4 will result in loss of 2 full letter grades.
- Religious Holy Days: By University policy, please notify me of your pending absence fourteen days prior to the anticipated date of observance of religious holy days. If you must miss a class, an examination, or an assignment, for religious observance, I will give you an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.
University of Texas Honor Code
The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community.
All work for this course will be that of the student and original contributions. I militantly pursue cases of suspected plagiarism and cheating.
*** Late assignments are penalized, plagiarism is prosecuted***
Disabilities
The University of Texas at Austin provides accommodations for students with disabilities. Contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 471-6259 or 232-2937 (video phone).
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF CLASS MEETINGS
(Subject to Revisions and Changes)
WEEK ONE: January 20 & 22
Introduction
Wednesday: Introduction
Friday: The Question of Borders
WEEK TWO: January 25-29
Algeria and the Mediterranean World
Monday, Space and Time in the Maghreb
Wednesday, Algerian Geography
Friday, The Sahara
WEEK THREE: February 1-5
Ottoman Algeria and the World around It
Monday, Discussion: Braudel, “The Longue Durée”
Wednesday, Algeria’s Cities
Friday, Mediterranean Trade
WEEK FOUR: February 8-12 (Read Reudy, pp. 1-44)
Ottoman Algeria and the Jihad at Sea
Monday, “Christians of Allah”: Captives and Slaves
Wednesday, Discussion: “Captivity Narratives”
Friday, Uncle Sam in Barbary and the Barbary Wars
WEEK FIVE: February 22-26 (Read Reudy, pp. 45-)
The French Invasion & Algerian Responses, 1830-39
Monday, Prelude: Bonaparte in Egypt
Wednesday, The French Revolution and the End of Ottoman Algeria
Friday, Algerian Notables React
WEEK SIX: March 1-5 (Read Reudy, pp. -79)
The Total Conquest of Algeria, 1839-57
Monday, Extermination, Expulsion, or Accommodation: The “Indigenous Question”
Wednesday, Discussion: “Abdelkader on Jihad”
Friday, The Conquest of the Sahara
WEEK SEVEN: March 8-12
Monday, Mid-Term Review
Wednesday, ***MID TERM EXAM***
Friday, Historians views of French Empire
WEEK EIGHT: March 15-19
Spring Break
WEEK NINE: March 22-26 (Read Reudy, pp. 80-113)
Colonial Governmentality, 1871-1930
Monday, The Land Question & the Saint Simonians
Wednesday, France’s Nationalization of Islam & the “Arab Kingdom”
Friday, French Algeria at 100 years, the 1830 Centenary
WEEK TEN: March 29-April 2 (Read Reudy, pp. 114-155)
Reform Movements & The Rise of Nationalism
Monday, Emir Khaled & the Young Algerians
Wednesday, Discussion: Mouloud Feraoun, The Poor Man's Son (IN FULL)
Friday, Islamic Reform Movement & Algerian Nationalists
WEEK ELEVEN: April 5-9 (Read Reudy, pp. 156-194)
The Algerian War of Independence, 1954-62
Monday, Why War?
Wednesday, Discussion: Alleg, The Question
Friday, The FLN’s Military and Diplomatic Victory
WEEK TWELVE: April 12-16 (Read Reudy, pp. 195-230)
The Triumphs and Trials of Independence
Monday, The FLN State and Society
Wednesday, Ben Bella to Boumedienne
Friday, Discussion: Mimouni, The Honor of the Tribe (IN FULL)
Film: Omar Gatlato (Directed by M. Allouache, 1976), screening time TBA
WEEK THIRTEEN: April 19-23
Algeria’s Other Wilaya: France
Monday, Algerian Immigration to France, Emigration from Algeria
Wednesday, Post-Colonial France and Its Muslims
Friday, Music Videos: Dahmane El Harrachi, “Ya Raya” & 113, “Princes de la ville” (2000) “Banlieu” (2005)
WEEK FOURTEEN: April 26-30 (Read Reudy, pp. 231-288)
Years of Terror 1988-1999
Monday, The Unraveling: October 1988 & Rise of the Islamist Opposition
Wednesday, A Civil War or a War on Civilians?
Friday, Discussion: Djebar, Algerian White [IN FULL]
Film: Bab El-Oued City (Directed by M. Allouache, 1994), screening time TBA
WEEK FIFTEEN: May 3-7
Conclusion: Algeria at a Global Crossroad
Monday, Neo-Liberalism and the Revolutionary Legacy: The Harraga
Wednesday, Blowback: Al-Qaeda and the “War on Terror” in Algeria
Friday, Conclusion
***FINAL EXAM Wednesday, May 12, 7:00–10:00 pm***