The course examines political and socioeconomic change and thought in the late O

The course examines political and socioeconomic change and thought in the late Ottoman Empire and Iran as well as Egypt, which acquired autonomy during the nineteenth century . The striking growth of European economic, political, and cultural influence in the region and the Middle Eastern responses, including sustained efforts to restructure social, political, and cultural institutions, will constitute the focus of the course. Write an essay (approximately 2500 words) on *ONE* of the topics below. Be explicit about your choice of topic (#1, 2, or 3). You only need assigned course readings and your notes from lectures and class discussions only. You should incorporate your own opinions and interpretations. The essay will be evaluated on how effectively you can synthesize and analyze the range of relevant course materials in your own voice. You should support your arguments with specific examples and draw comparisons where possible and appropriate. Avoid strict region-by-region or chronological cataloging of facts. Do not need outside sources or the web for content. It is important that you provide brief textual citations for material referring to the readings, e.g., (Hanioglu, 61) or (Rogan, 17). Any direct quotations should be indicated as such (within quotation marks). You do not need to provide citations for information coming from your lecture notes. There is no need to provide a “works cited” (bibliography) section. A title is optional. 1. Appraise how the Middle East in 1914 was different from the Middle East in 1800 by addressing and taking stock of overall political, geopolitical, economic, and socio-cultural change. After identifying and explaining the general trends, discuss and account for varied developments and outcomes within the broader region. 2. Evaluate the Middle East’s relationship with Europe and the transformation of relations with European states from the end of the eighteenth century to World War I. Address the various facets of the relationship and refer to important themes and landmarks (or trends) as well as to mutual perceptions. You should discuss and explain regional and social variations in the Middle East in demonstrating the nature and consequences of the relations with Europe. 3. The Middle East’s opening up to Europe and the restructuring of its institutions accompanied social, political, or intellectual currents/movements engendered by novel ideas and ideologies, enhanced foreign influence, and/or policies of the indigenous regimes/states. Identify such responses and appraise their impact on the transformations that different Middle Eastern states and societies underwent in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (before 1918).