OSHER 819 - Surviving as a Minority in the Middle East

Events related to the Gulf War and the continuing Iraq war emphasize that Iraq is not a homogenous Arab-Sunni Muslim country. We are now aware of the Shi'a-Sunni-Kurdish groups, but there are additional dimensions distinguishing different ethnic and religious groups in Iraq and throughout the Middle East. Relations among minority and dominant groups are not always marked by conflict. This course explores several strategies that underlie the survival of minorities in a variety of countries throughout the region. These include the costs and benefits of being 'People of the Book,' minority groups controlling power (Syria and Bahrain), confessional accommodation (Lebanon), aggression (Kurds), and controlling visa and work permits (Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates).