History of the Middle History of the Middle EastEast

Mr. ChmielMr. Chmiel

1515thth year at MHS year at MHS B.A. Princeton University; M.A. Seton B.A. Princeton University; M.A. Seton

Hall UniversityHall University Helped create this course, co-authored Helped create this course, co-authored

the curriculum, chose the textbook the curriculum, chose the textbook Calling to teach the course Calling to teach the course Politics major, art history (art and Politics major, art history (art and

culture), world religionsculture), world religions

GoalsGoals Students becoming more Students becoming more

knowledgeable about the regionknowledgeable about the region Open-minded, critical thinkers – not Open-minded, critical thinkers – not

blindly accepting one source; blindly accepting one source; considering other perspectivesconsidering other perspectives

Thoughtfully developing opinionsThoughtfully developing opinions Confusion regarding complex issues Confusion regarding complex issues

isn’t a bad thing. isn’t a bad thing. Altering viewpoints as new evidence Altering viewpoints as new evidence

becomes available is what intellectuals becomes available is what intellectuals do.do.

Informed and empowered citizensInformed and empowered citizens

TopicsTopics

Ancient Near Eastern culturesAncient Near Eastern cultures Major religions of the Major religions of the

region/interested in the regionregion/interested in the region Art and architecture Art and architecture Medieval Middle East – CrusadesMedieval Middle East – Crusades 2020thth century Middle East century Middle East Current events mixed in – Going out Current events mixed in – Going out

of the playbook of the playbook

Instructional MethodsInstructional Methods PowerPoint and direct instructionPowerPoint and direct instruction Class and small-group discussionClass and small-group discussion Q & A and review (including review Q & A and review (including review

games)games) Movies and documentariesMovies and documentaries Reading articles (newspapers, Reading articles (newspapers,

magazines) from various sources (NYT, magazines) from various sources (NYT, CNN, BBC, Al-Jazeera, Haaretz) CNN, BBC, Al-Jazeera, Haaretz)

Group and individual presentations Group and individual presentations based on researchbased on research

Guest speakersGuest speakers

Exciting ThingsExciting Things Fairly new course – changing and Fairly new course – changing and

adaptingadapting Guest speakers from Middle East and Guest speakers from Middle East and

North AfricaNorth Africa Excellent, thought-provoking filmsExcellent, thought-provoking films Field trip – mosque and Jewish centerField trip – mosque and Jewish center ““Middle East Feast” celebration – Middle East Feast” celebration –

food and musicfood and music

GradingGrading

Tests – 2-3 per marking period – 80-100 Tests – 2-3 per marking period – 80-100 points eachpoints each

Quizzes – 3-5 per marking period – 10 – Quizzes – 3-5 per marking period – 10 – 40 points each40 points each

Homework – once a week 5-10 points Homework – once a week 5-10 points Class work – 5-10 points per assignmentClass work – 5-10 points per assignment 50 point class participation grade50 point class participation grade Projects ~ 100 points 1-2 for the courseProjects ~ 100 points 1-2 for the course

Contact InformationContact Information

Mr Chmiel’s extra help day is Mr Chmiel’s extra help day is ThursdayThursday

His email is His email is fchmiel@mtsd.usfchmiel@mtsd.us. .

Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks

Elective course – people have signed Elective course – people have signed up to be here up to be here

High expectations but being High expectations but being reasonablereasonable

Fun course but meant to be taken Fun course but meant to be taken seriously as wellseriously as well

Getting students interested and Getting students interested and involvedinvolved