Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: examine and analyze complex historical themes, events, and trends with a focus on identifying their global context and connection to the modern world; explain and analyze significant political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments in modern Middle Eastern History; explain the contributions that different cultures have made to modern Middle Eastern society and be able to critically analyze the different approaches that different regions took when seizing and wielding power; examine and analyze information from a variety of resources, including primary and secondary resources.