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 peace process; dealings between external factors, the broader Arab-Israeli conflict; 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, resources and security. The course will conclude with a discussion of the micro and macro issues facing Palestinians and Israelis, and how they may impact on the prospects for peace.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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.

1. Mid-year In-class exam (40%) [Learning Outcomes 1-3]

2. Essay 4,500 words (60%) [Learning Outcomes 1-4]

1. In-class exam tests students’ knowledge of core issues covered in the first 6 weeks of teaching.

2. Essay - tests students’ ability to research a topic and to present a quality, cogent argument in response to the question.  Questions are based around the material covered throughout the course.   

In 2013 this course will be delivered as a two-hour seminar over 12 weeks in Semester 1.  Students are expected to commit up to 10 hours per week (contact plus non-contact) for this course.

E.W. Said, The Question of Palestine, Vintage Press, 1992.

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.