North Africa and the Middle East are burning. The freedom of self-determination that was seized by Tunisian citizens quickly ignited the ideals of Egyptian youth and may yet spread across the region. From Iran to Egypt and Tunisia, the righteousness of a people shaking off oppression is irresistible. It is a phenomenon that is expressive of much of what is good in humanity. It is a phenomenon that should not be ignored — yet that is what the University’s political science department appears to be doing.
The revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia had been smoldering in the hearts and minds of oppressed peoples and on the streets of these nations for years. These revolutions were not surprise developments. One University instructor saw the writing on the wall and in 2003 began offering courses specifically focused on the Middle East and North Africa, in addition to his courses on Central Asia and North and South America. The efforts of Professor Ken DeBevoise culminated in an offering of six Middle East and North Africa courses in the 2009-2010 academic year. These courses included: Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria-Lebanon-Jordan, Israel-Palestine, and though not considered the Middle East, Afghanistan-Pakistan — all taught by DeBevoise. To put this into perspective, the political science department has offered courses specifically on the Middle East or Africa 24 times in the past 10 years. According to its archives, 21 of those classes were taught by DeBevoise.
This kind of foresight is uncanny and highly impressive, yet the political science department appears to see little value in it. This year the department has allowed DeBevoise to offer only one Middle East course. It is also this writer’s understanding that beginning in September 2011, DeBevoise will not be allowed to offer any course on these regions, and by 2012 his specialized curriculum may be removed from political science course offerings altogether.
In a further disregard for Middle Eastern studies, the University has failed to develop a Middle Eastern Studies program, despite numerous requests from several student groups for one to be established. In fact, DeBevoise’s repeated offer to help create such a program has been ignored. This apparent lack of interest from the political science department and the College of Arts and Sciences may soon result in a severely deficient political education system at this institution. Barring a major shift in this trajectory, within two years it may no longer be possible to get a valuable education in — or focus a degree on — Middle Eastern or North African politics at the University.
As a 2010 graduate of political science, I am outraged. The study of politics is the study of who we were, who we are and who we hope to become. These narratives intertwine across class, culture and continents, each made stronger by the others. The idea that our narrative is complete in the absence of the Middle Eastern and North African experience is an affront to any notions of global community and the realities of modern politics.
The political science department must fully reinstate Ken DeBevoise and incorporate his Middle East and North Africa course offerings into the standard political science course rotation. The impact of these regions on international politics is tremendous and will reach far into our futures.
The world is changing at an incredible rate, and the Middle East and North Africa will continue to be major players in international politics. Without the kind of instruction that Ken DeBevoise has provided for more than a decade, University graduates may not be able to play meaningful political roles in our brave new world.
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Commentary: University should offer Middle Eastern Studies program
Daily Emerald
February 24, 2011
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