HIS 2075 History of Modern Egypt
This course will explore the cultural, political, social, and economic history of modern Egypt from the late eighteenth century to the present. We will explore Egypt under the Ottomans and the Mamluks, the institution of slavery in Egypt, Napoleon's unsuccessful attempt to colonize Egypt despite leaving a lasting French cultural legacy there, the foundation of the modern state under Muhammad 'Ali Pasha, the British occupation of the country, and its thorny relationship with its southern neighbor, Sudan. This course delves into the political, social and cultural foundations of Egyptian nationalism(and its often close relationship with women's movements) from the end of the nineteenth century through Gamal abd al-Nasr's Pan-Arab movement, to the public discontent that brought down Hosni Mubarak's dictatorship. We will also investigate Egypt's wars and peace with Israel, and its complicated relationship with the United States.