Your final assignment is to write a seven-page (double-spaced) critical review essay of THE QUEUE [book link included] .
critical review essay
that uses its plot and characters to develop an argument related to the arguments/themes covered in this course.
It should be set in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with
one-inch margins on all sides, and not exceed seven pages.
The introduction to a review essay lays out your general line of argument.
opening paragraph that situates the book in the social and political context in which it is
written, identify the main theme(s) it features, and preview your critical response not
more than half a page to this part.
Summary identifying the central characters, plot, and political
themes (related to our readings and class discussions). The summary should be clear and concise,
and not exceed one page.
Critical Discussionthe contribution of the text under review to
the study of global politics, comparative politics, and politics of the Middle East. As a starting
point, consider how the book illustrates some core themes we?ve discussed. Identify theme(s)
addressed by the author in relation to our course. Then begin your critical analysis. Here you
should reference readings from the syllabus. Dedicate four-five pages to this section.
Conclusion. End your essay with a paragraph that answers the question: ?so what?? This final
essay should not repeat the first paragraph of the essay. It should instead summarize the points
you have made differently and engage with unanswered questions or concerns prompted by your
argument. It should also consider what is important about this book for understanding Middle
East politics. arguments/ THEMES COVERED IN THIS COURSE!:
Author? ? ? ?title?
Feldman ?preface? and ?what the people want?
ARGUMENT
The demand for action made by the people on behalf of the people turned into a movement that sought self determinaton
THEMES
Does a group claiming to be ?the people? have the right to have the capacity to choose what government should replace an unjust one or wether such a group would have the right to replace a genuinely democratic government that was in face chosen by the people.?
A group that presents it self as teh people may claim to do so when the content of its speech is to point out the illegitimacy of the government
KEY POINTS:
?Arab Nationalism: An intellectual and social movement with origins in the late 19th and early 20th century?
?Jan 2011
oNot saying their nationality could?ve been them saying ALL Middle Eastern countries want change from regimes/leadership?
?Interdependent: Calling for change in one place = calling for change everywhere?
?Arab Spring?
o2011 movement that quickly spread to all Arab-speaking countries?
?Historical Approach
o?The people? is an abstract, not a natural fact
oThe claim to representative peoplehood?
?Actors were performing peoplehood?
?Political approach?
oThinks its important to discuss and identify ?the people??
oAllows us to ask about Arab Spring and the aftermath?
?Every regime had a social contract between the ruled and rulers; implies agreement?
?Problems with the chant?
oDidn’t say who can take revolutionary action, but they wanted to overthrow it?
oBecause they didn?t want to act they gave power to others – the military (only ones powerful enough)
02/08 Feldman ?tahrir and the problem of agency? Arguments
?Argument: If you believe the Egyptian people acted through the 1/25 revolution to replace Mubarak, the dictator, then you should believe that the Egyptian people acted through the June 30th revolution to replace Morsi, the democratically elected president?
?Themes
?Tahir I (January 25 – Hasni Mubarak)?
?Tahir II (June 30 – Mohamed Morsi)
?a failed revolution
Key Points [+events]
?agency: the conscious choice of a person or group to act in ways that determine the outcome of relevant political events
?feldman argued for people to acknowledge egyptians as political agents, they have to recognize their historical agency
?Egyptian ppl were historical agents in Tahrir I and II.?
?Cannot discuss current or political agency without considering history. He says you need historical agency in order to have political agency. Arges that everything is related to / based off of history?
