Short Course Description
Established in 1948 as a Jewish nation-state, Israel is home to an Arab minority that makes up approximately 20 percent of its population. These Arab citizens are the descendants of the Palestinian Arab population that constituted a majority in Mandatory Palestine prior to 1948. Since its inception, the Israeli state has confronted the enduring challenge of integrating this minority population into its social, political, and cultural frameworks. Marked by distinctions in ethnicity, national identity, religion, and culture, the Arab minority occupies a unique and often contested position within the broader Israeli societal structure.
This course seeks to enhance students? knowledge of the historical, social, and political developments affecting the Palestinian-Arab community in Israel. It addresses key issues related to the establishment of Israel as a ?Jewish and democratic state? and examines the dynamics of relations between the Arab minority and the Jewish majority.
The course is structured around four interconnected units. The first unit introduces theoretical frameworks for analyzing majority-minority relations in Israel and familiarizes students with research methodologies relevant to the historical study of the Arab community in Israel. The second unit provides an overview of key historical milestones and significant developments affecting the Arab population from 1948 to the present. The third unit examines ideological trends and patterns of political participation in elections to the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. The fourth and final unit addresses contemporary social and cultural issues within the Arab community.
Final grade breakdown:
Final paper: 70%
Midterm paper: 20%
Participation in class discussions: 10%
Full Syllabus
