The Middle East in the 20th Century
MIT OpenCourseWare offers this survey of Middle Eastern history from the late nineteenth century to the present. The course traces the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the drawing of colonial mandates after World War I, the rise of nationalist and pan-Arab movements, the founding of Israel, oil politics, and the region's revolutions and wars through the late twentieth century. Materials include a full syllabus, weekly reading assignments drawn from primary sources and scholarly histories, and writing assignments that ask students to analyze political, social, and intellectual developments rather than just narrate events. There is no instructor video lecture series; the course is built around readings and discussion questions, making it best suited to a self-directed learner willing to do the reading. Free to access, with no certificate offered.