OSHER 18 - Understanding the Syrian Crisis

This course introduces and explains many different aspects of the civil war in Syria. Beginning as anti-government protests and later escalating into a full-scale civil war, more than 600,000 Syrians have lost their lives in six years of armed conflict. More than 11 million others (about half of the population of Syria) have been forced from their homes. The fighting continues, as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other, as well as jihadist militants from the so-called Islamic State. At the end of this course, students will understand the causes of the Syrian civil war, the parties involved, and the consequences of it. They will grasp the complex politics of the conflict and the ideological, religious, and political differences that separate the combatants. Each session will have a 15-minute break midway through the class.