A study of the relationship between the United States and the Middle East in the twentieth century. With the collapse of European colonial empires and the onset of the Cold War after World War II, the United States became increasingly involved in Turkey, Iran, Israel, Egypt, and the other Arab states. The course examines political, economic, social, and religious aspects of this environment. Issues taken up include military alliance systems, economic liberalism, politicized Islam, Christian Zionism, cultural exchanges, and popular images and the academic critique of Orientalism. Discussion of readings is emphasized.