| UNIT OVERVIEW: MIDDLE EAST REGIONAL STUDY |
OVERARCHING QUESTIONS: Why is the Middle East defined as a cultural crossroads?
What challenges face the people of the Middle East?
Indicators and Content Objectives
Suggested Time: 8 weeks
A. interpret, analyze, and construct maps of the Middle East in order to describe how the selection of criteria can change the definition of a region.
• make generalizations about the criteria geographers use to define regions
• identify physical and human characteristics of the Middle East
• identify the cultural criteria used to define the Middle East as a distinct region.
B. examine the criteria used to define civilizations in order to explain the cultural development of selected ancient cultures of Mesopotamia.
• analyze information about a Mesopotamian culture
• evaluate an alternative Mesopotamian culture to determine if it meets the criteria for a civilization
C. examine the history, beliefs, and practices of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in order to analyze their impact on the daily lives of followers.
• define religion and identify the three main religions found in the Middle East
• identify the basic beliefs and practices of Judaism
• identify the basic beliefs and practices of Christianity
• identify the basic beliefs and practices of Islam
D. examine the spread of Islamic civilization in order to draw conclusions about the global influences of cultural diffusion.
• identify the reasons for the expansion of the Islamic civilization.
• make generalizations about the cultural contributions of the Islamic civilization.
E. investigate the complexity of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from different perspectives in order to determine how individuals and groups have advanced or impeded the peace process
• analyze significant events and their interpretations in the establishment of the nation of Israel through investigation of the political spectrum.
• examine the origins of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and identify reasons both Israelis and Palestinians believe they are entitled to the land
• describe the geography of the conflict between Arabs and Israelis
• investigate the global impacts of the Arab-Israeli conflict
• detect bias in media portrayals of how individuals and groups have advanced or impeded the peace process.
F. analyze geographic and statistical data regarding water and oil in order to draw conclusions about their impact on regional and global relationships, scarcity, interdependence, specialization and opportunity cost.
• draw conclusions about the interdependency among Middle Eastern nations for fresh water
• describe the role of desalination as an alternative source of fresh water in the Middle East
• make generalizations about the importance of oil to the Middle East and the world by analyzing statistical data
• draw conclusions about the impact of regional Middle East events on the price of crude oil and gasoline in the United States
Overview
The region that stretches from the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea south along the Arabian Peninsula is truly a crossroads of culture and commerce. For thousands of years, European, Asian, and African influences have worked collectively to shape the region that is the Middle East of today. Geographers apply different criteria when defining what constitutes the Middle East. Some define it as the Arab world. Others feel that the Middle East encompasses more than the Arab world to include the non-Arab countries of Turkey, Israel, and Iran. Students will examine how the selection of criteria can change the definition of the region. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam will be examined in order to identify how their beliefs and practices have influenced the developing cultures of the region and have taken on historic and religious importance for many people throughout the world. Students will examine Islamic civilization to identify some of the major contributions it has made to the world. Students will examine the role of the Middle East in the Arab-Israeli Conflict and the Persian Gulf in order to identify the impact of the region on the rest of the world.
The Middle East currently faces many challenges. The Arab-Israeli conflict is a serious issue that has gained worldwide attention and has created increased tensions throughout the world. Students will examine the creation of the state of Israel, and the nationalistic views of both Israelis and Palestinians in order to gain insight and understanding into why and how this nation became so controversial and important in world affairs. Students will identify the difficulties encountered in achieving peace by analyzing barriers to the resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Water and oil act as agents of change, and students will examine these resources in order to analyze how they have influenced this region by giving it great wealth, power, and influence. Current methods to harness and develop available water supplies will be examined in order to identify the impact that they have on the development of the region. The concept of global interdependence will be developed to demonstrate the importance of oil to the Middle East and to the world.
At the conclusion of this unit, students should recognize the significance of the following statements of enduring knowledge.
• Regional designations vary according to human and physical criteria.
• Historically, the Middle East has been a cultural crossroads.
• Many early civilizations developed in the Middle East.
• Monotheistic religions developed in the Middle East.
• Religion impacts the daily lives of the people of the Middle East.
• Islamic civilization has had global influences.
• The tension created by the creation of the Israeli state has regional and global implications
• Interdependence exists between the global community and the Middle East over key natural resources.
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