CHUM 23A04 - Internal mobility and displacement of ethnic minorities in the Levant during the 20th century

This course explores the internal migration and forced displacement of several ethnic groups in the region of the Middle-East during the 20th century. It takes the collapse of the Ottoman Empire as a critical moment that triggered many significant mobilities (south to south) of different populations and reshaped the demographic distribution in the region. By examining the restrictions on mobility due to the recently erected borders in the first half of the 20th century, this course will provide a better understanding of the strategies mobilized of different ethnic groups, to maintain a place and their cultural identity in the face of the rise of national identities in the emerging Nation States. By examining new waves of internal migration in the second half of the 20th century and the socio-political and economic changes, this course helps to understand how the politics of exclusion backfired and created internal conflicts, civil wars and uprising towards the end of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century.

Through critical analysis, cross-examination and interdisciplinary approach (oral history, political sociology, ethnography) the course addresses important questions: What are the main reasons of the forced displacements in the region at the beginning of the 20th century in the Middle East? To what extent the colonial powers initiated these displacements? How did the emerging Nation States in the region deal with the displaced ethnic groups and the question of ethnic diversity? How did these groups resist integrating (or adapted) in the socio-political landscape of the countries where they arrived? What role/s (social, political, economic) did these ethnic groups take during the political conflicts, civil wars and uprising in the region? This course focus on four different ethnic groups (the Kurds, the Bedouins, the Dom, and later on the Palestinians) in Syria and Lebanon.

1°) Student’s Engagement: Presence, active participation including contributing to class discussions, asking and responding to questions 10/%

2°) Mid-Term Group Presentation: a group of three students select a topic and have it approved by the instructor in the first session and give a 15-minute presentation in the class 30%

3°) Short reflective Paper on one of the course topics (1000 words) 20%

4°) Writing up a short research project: Each student chooses a specific theme related to at least one ethnic migrant group as a final assignment 40%