The central focus of the course will be the forces for continuity and change in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the challenges facing efforts to sustain a viable and productive peace process. The course assumes, but does not require, fairly extensive knowledge of the Middle East including the historical context of the Arab-Israel conflict in general. Those students who have not studied politics in the Middle East at undergraduate level will be encouraged and assisted to broaden the scope of their reading. Initially the course will examine the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from four angles: the search for security and identity within national frameworks; the Oslo process; dealings between external forces, the Palestinian leadership and Israel; and the political dynamics that brought about the demise of the Oslo process. The course will then examine final status issues that were supposed to be addressed through the Oslo process - especially refugees, Jerusalem, borders and sovereignty, and water. The course will conclude with a discussion of the outlook for the conflict.

1. To reach a better understanding of the key issues underlying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

2. To gain a comprehensive picture of the interaction of domestic and external actors and factors shaping the conflict.

3. To encourage students to examine critically the positions of the parties and the ideas that have been advanced to deal with core unresolved issues.

4. To discuss ideas on how progress might be made towards resolving the conflict, against the background of contemporary political realities

One major essay of 5,000 words (80%) and a seminar/'conference' presentation (20%)

In 2010 this course will be trialled as a ‘sandwich' course. There will be a three-hour evening seminar in Week 2 of semester. Students will then individually but in consultation with the course convener prepare a conference-style speech of some 15-20 minutes duration for delivery at a ‘conference' in Week 7 (most likely Friday 23 April). Based on lecturer and student feedback and questions on the speech, students then prepare an essay of about 5,000 words, due in Week 13.

Students who cannot make the one-day ‘conference' (this must be substantiated with a medical certificate or letter from their employer) may request a variation to the assessment to instead complete a major essay is 6,000 words for 100% of the course assessment. In the interests of student learning and interaction, however, students are encouraged to attend and participate actively in the one-day conference.

I. Rabinovich, Waging Peace : Israel and the Arabs, 1948-2003. Princeton University Press, 2004.
A. Shlaim, The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World, W.W. Norton and Co., 2001.
Y. Sayigh, Armed Struggle and the Search for State: the Palestinian National Movement, 1949-1993, Clarendon Press, 1997.