Fall 2005

DIRECTIONS: On test day, you will be given 4 of the following essay options from this list. Please pick 2 and answer them in essay format. Grading will follow the same rubric used for short essays.

Each essay should begin with a clear thesis statement, discuss each point of the statement in turn, and finish with a concluding paragraph tying it all back together.

In all cases, you should mention course readings, discussions, lectures, your Soliya discussions, current events, or other experiences or realizations that occurred this semester in order to demonstrate and support the ideas you assert in your thesis statement.

Note that the two classes may not be given the same essay choices on test day, due to the time zone difference.

1) To what degree do you think the current U.S. military operation in Iraq demonstrates the validity of Huntington’s thesis of a “Clash of Civilizations?” Make sure your opening paragraph defines the elements of the “Clash of Civilizations” before you move on to comparing the “Clash” characteristics to the present situation in Iraq.

2) To what degree do you think that the notion of the “kin-country syndrome” (Huntington) helps to understand either the U.S. or Arab attitude (pick one) towards the Palestinian-Israeli issue? Make sure your opening paragraph defines the elements of the “kin-country syndrome” before you move on to comparing its characteristics to the current US or Arab attitudes towards the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and peace process.

3) Do you think that the “War on Terror” by the current U.S. administration is really about terror, or does this rhetoric conceal other motives? Draw on course readings, discussions, lectures or other experiences this semester to explain your answer.

4) Do you think that Arab concern for the plight of the Palestinians is genuine, or does it merely serve the purposes of Arab governments? Draw on course readings, discussions, lectures or other experiences this semester to explain your answer.

5) Few would dispute that many Americans have a low opinion about the Arab world. What do you think are the sources of this sentiment? What should the Arab countries and people do to improve US perceptions? Make sure you equally address both elements of the essay: causes of poor US opinions of Arabs and what Arabs can do about this.

6) Do you think that anti-Americanism in the Arab world arises from US policy decisions, or deeper religious, political, or cultural factors? What can the US government or people do to improve Arab perceptions? Make sure you equally address both elements of the essay: causes of poor Arab opinions of the US and what Americans can do about this.

7) Do you think that it is in the U.S. interest to modify, reduce or sever its relationship with Israel in order to cultivate a better relationship with the Arab world? Notice that the operative point is U.S. national interest. Make sure you define U.S. interests in the beginning of your essay and draw on course readings, discussions, lectures or other experiences this semester to explain your answer.

8) To what degree do you think that the problems of the Arab world can be addressed by establishing democratic institutions? Begin by defining the “problems of the Arab world” and draw on course readings, discussions, lectures, or other experiences this semester to explain your answer.

9) Do you think it is in the U.S. interest to press for internal democratic reforms by its Arab allies, or should it avoid meddling in the domestic politics of Arab regimes and simply focus on common goals and enemies that it shares with various Arab regimes? Notice that the operative point is U.S. national interest. Make sure you define U.S. interests in the beginning of your essay and draw on course readings, discussions, lectures or other experiences this semester to explain your answer.

10) Do you think that their massive oil resources and resulting petro-wealth have had positive or negative implications for the Gulf Arab country’s relations with the rest of the world and the development and well-being of their nations and citizens? Draw on course readings, discussions, lectures or your own personal experiences to explain your answer.