Modern Middle East history will look at the the last 30 years of the region, beginning with the revolutionary events of 1979: The peace between Egypt and Israel, the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, the Iranian Revolution and hostage crisis, and the rise of Saddam Hussein to power in Iraq. This course will explore the major political and intellectual forces that brought about these events which have shaped out understanding of the Middle East in our lifetimes. Geography, religion, and economics will be addressed with interactive maps, photos, film, and discussions.