Fall 2025 - HIST 465 D100
The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict (4)
Class Number: 3931
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Paul Sedra
pdsedra@sfu.ca
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Prerequisites:
45 units including nine units of lower division history and one of HIST 151, 249, 350, 354, 355 or permission of the department.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A discussion of the modern history of nation-building in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The topics discussed include Zionism, the British Mandate in Palestine, the creation of the state of Israel, the rise of modern Palestinian nationalism, and the role of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute in regional and international affairs.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course will adopt a social and cultural history approach to a subject that is most commonly analyzed in terms of political and diplomatic currents. Among the topics the course will address are Zionism, settler colonialism in Palestine, the British Mandate, the creation of the state of Israel, the rise of modern Palestinian nationalism, and the impact of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute on the Middle East as a whole.
N.B. This is not an introductory course. Students are expected to have prior knowledge of the broad outlines of the political and diplomatic history of the conflict.
Grading
- In-class midterm exam 30%
- Debate presentation 10%
- Research paper 45%
- Seminar participation 15%
NOTES:
For further information about this course, please visit paulsedra.com
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
[N.B. All texts will be available through the SFU library website, at no cost to students.]
- Ilan Pappe, A History of Modern Palestine, third edition (Cambridge University Press, 2022),
https://doi-org.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/10.1017/9781108233743 - Mark Levine and Gershon Shafir, eds., Struggle and Survival in Palestine/Israel (University of California Press, 2012), https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/lib/sfu-ebooks/detail.action?docID=999936
- Ted Swedenburg, Memories of Revolt: The 1936-1939 Rebellion and the Palestinian National Past (University of Arkansas Press, 2003), https://doi-org.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/10.2307/j.ctt20061kk
- journal articles accessible through SFU library website
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
Learn more about studying History at SFU:
History areas of study
Why study History?
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.