CONTEMPORARY HISTORY OF THE ARAB COUNTRIES 1
Course objectives
General educational objectives: the course conveys the fundamental elements for the knowledge of the contemporary history of the Arab world (the regional system composed of 22 Arab countries) from the mid-nineteenth century to today. Specific educational objectives: upon completion of the course the student will acquire the following knowledges and skills: 1) basic knowledge of the historical, social and cultural dynamics of the different phases of the historical development of the Arab world from the mid-nineteenth century to today and, within them, the specificity of the macro Arab regions and of individual countries, as well as the interaction between the Arab regional system and the international system; 2) ability to place in time and space the main historical-cultural events and phenomena characterizing the contemporary history of the Arab world; 3) basic knowledge of the common characteristics and the differentiations of the countries of the Arab world in terms of human geography (physical, demographic, economic, socio-cultural) and ability to compare and deepen them independently; 4) ability to present orally or in writing a topic related to the phenomenon under study, also based on oral and written exercises; 5) ability to continue the study autonomously, also based on in-depth research seminars.
Channel 1
LAURA GUAZZONE
Lecturers' profile
Program - Frequency - Exams
Course program
The course entitled "Introduction to the Contemporary Arab World" focuses on framing the
fundamental features of contemporary history and human geography of the 22 Arab countries since the 19th century
century to date, according to a double analytical perspective: the perspective of the Arab regional system, which
emphasizes the geographical, social, economic, cultural, historical and political characteristics common to Arabic-speaking countries
of North Africa and the Near East and the Middle East in contemporary times and the related issues;
the sub-regional and state perspective, which underlines the specificities of the historical evolution of each of the
Arab countries, including by delving into some case studies.
The programme is therefore divided into three parts:
1) general outlines of human geography (physical, demographic, economic, socio-cultural) of the world
current Arabic (8 hours);
2) analytical framing of the main phases, processes and events of contemporary history
of the Arab world (25 hours);
3) thematic exercises and case studies by topic and country (15 hours: 2 countries from 2 different regions
of the Arab world.
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of Arabic and of the history and institutions of Islam is helpful (but not mandatory).
Books
For Part 1 of the program:
Laura Guazzone Introduction to the Contemporary Arab World, Rome, ed. New Culture - Wisdom
Oriental, 2007, pp. 15-48.
For Part 2:
Laura Guazzone "Introduction" and "The Contemporary Arab World: An Overview", pp. 1-88, in L.
Guazzone History of the Contemporary Arab World. Arab countries from the Ottoman Empire to today, Milan,
Mondadori, 2016.
Laura Guazzone History sheets of the Arab regional system. Handouts for 2021-2022 (online on the page
course web, e-learning platform http://elearning2.uniroma1.it/).
For Part 3:
two country chapters chosen by:
Laura Guazzone Storia del mondo arabo contemporaneo. I paesi arabi dall’Impero ottomano ad oggi, [History of the Contemporary Arab World. Arab countries from the Ottoman Empire to today]
Milan, Mondadori, 2016. [nb the two chapters must concern two different regions of the Arab world].
Letture aggiuntive (non obbligatorie)
Disponibili sulla pagina web del cors
Frequency
Attendance is not mandatory, but is highly recommended.
Exam mode
The final examination consists of a written test and an oral question. The written test consists of a quiz
multiple choice composed of 10 questions, which aims to verify the learning of knowledge of
basis of parts 1 and 2 of the programme. Passing the test requires 8 out of 10 correct answers and allows
access to the oral exam, but does not determine either passing the exam or the grade. For students
attending the course includes tests to prepare for the exam test. The oral test shall cover all
topics and the texts provided for in the programme. The evaluation of the examination will be positive when the examinee/s
will prove in the oral question that it can orient itself, in time and space, with respect to the main
events and stages in the contemporary history of the Arab world and the individual countries chosen as a case study, and will know
also analyze, with conceptual clarity and properties of expression, the historical dynamics caused and
produced by such events.
For students attending the possible ongoing assessment (optional) on the topics foreseen for the
parts 1 or 3 of the programme, the oral question on the parts already assessed. The final grade is the average
qualitatively weighted between the assessments obtained during the commute and in the final exam.
Bibliography
Additional reading (not mandatory)
Available on the course web page
Lesson mode
frontal lessons, video lessons, exercises, group work, inverted lesson (flipped classroom),
preparation of papers, e-learning on the course web page on the e-learning Moodle platform of Sapienza university.
LAURA GUAZZONE
Lecturers' profile
Program - Frequency - Exams
Course program
The course entitled "Introduction to the Contemporary Arab World" focuses on framing the
fundamental features of contemporary history and human geography of the 22 Arab countries since the 19th century
century to date, according to a double analytical perspective: the perspective of the Arab regional system, which
emphasizes the geographical, social, economic, cultural, historical and political characteristics common to Arabic-speaking countries
of North Africa and the Near East and the Middle East in contemporary times and the related issues;
the sub-regional and state perspective, which underlines the specificities of the historical evolution of each of the
Arab countries, including by delving into some case studies.
The programme is therefore divided into three parts:
1) general outlines of human geography (physical, demographic, economic, socio-cultural) of the world
current Arabic (8 hours);
2) analytical framing of the main phases, processes and events of contemporary history
of the Arab world (25 hours);
3) thematic exercises and case studies by topic and country (15 hours: 2 countries from 2 different regions
of the Arab world.
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge of Arabic and of the history and institutions of Islam is helpful (but not mandatory).
Books
For Part 1 of the program:
Laura Guazzone Introduction to the Contemporary Arab World, Rome, ed. New Culture - Wisdom
Oriental, 2007, pp. 15-48.
For Part 2:
Laura Guazzone "Introduction" and "The Contemporary Arab World: An Overview", pp. 1-88, in L.
Guazzone History of the Contemporary Arab World. Arab countries from the Ottoman Empire to today, Milan,
Mondadori, 2016.
Laura Guazzone History sheets of the Arab regional system. Handouts for 2021-2022 (online on the page
course web, e-learning platform http://elearning2.uniroma1.it/).
For Part 3:
two country chapters chosen by:
Laura Guazzone Storia del mondo arabo contemporaneo. I paesi arabi dall’Impero ottomano ad oggi, [History of the Contemporary Arab World. Arab countries from the Ottoman Empire to today]
Milan, Mondadori, 2016. [nb the two chapters must concern two different regions of the Arab world].
Letture aggiuntive (non obbligatorie)
Disponibili sulla pagina web del cors
Frequency
Attendance is not mandatory, but is highly recommended.
Exam mode
The final examination consists of a written test and an oral question. The written test consists of a quiz
multiple choice composed of 10 questions, which aims to verify the learning of knowledge of
basis of parts 1 and 2 of the programme. Passing the test requires 8 out of 10 correct answers and allows
access to the oral exam, but does not determine either passing the exam or the grade. For students
attending the course includes tests to prepare for the exam test. The oral test shall cover all
topics and the texts provided for in the programme. The evaluation of the examination will be positive when the examinee/s
will prove in the oral question that it can orient itself, in time and space, with respect to the main
events and stages in the contemporary history of the Arab world and the individual countries chosen as a case study, and will know
also analyze, with conceptual clarity and properties of expression, the historical dynamics caused and
produced by such events.
For students attending the possible ongoing assessment (optional) on the topics foreseen for the
parts 1 or 3 of the programme, the oral question on the parts already assessed. The final grade is the average
qualitatively weighted between the assessments obtained during the commute and in the final exam.
Bibliography
Additional reading (not mandatory)
Available on the course web page
Lesson mode
frontal lessons, video lessons, exercises, group work, inverted lesson (flipped classroom),
preparation of papers, e-learning on the course web page on the e-learning Moodle platform of Sapienza university.
- Lesson code1055396
- Academic year2025/2026
- CourseOriental languages and civilizations
- CurriculumLingue persiana e araba
- Year2nd year
- Duration12 months
- SSDL-OR/10
- CFU6