POLI2409 · Political Science
Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences
Is the Middle East composed of artificial countries? In this course, we will examine the process of state formation in the Middle East. How were national identities cultivated and promoted in ethnically and religiously diverse communities? What rhetoric did revolutionaries use and how did that rhetoric shape state identity? And, looking forward, how has citizenship and belonging been defined by a new wave of revolutions that has swept the region, from the Arab Spring and onwards?
Course experience
Averages use the original five-point historical evaluation scale.
Organization
4.8 / 5
How well the course was organized
Challenge
4.8 / 5
How intellectually challenging students found it
Attendance
4.9 / 5
How necessary attendance was
Assignments
4.7 / 5
How helpful assignments were
Weekly effort
~5
hours per week
Estimated from the original workload response buckets. Individual sections may differ.
Instructor options
Ratings below reflect only recovered evaluations connected to this course.
Student perspective
Recovered and new anonymous comments are shown as written and may reflect different course formats.
May 19, 2026 · Historical comment
Much more like a political history than an exploration of current dynamics. Lectures were interesting enough, readings were unnecessary, assignments were straightforward and fairly graded. Professor Alshamary was very nice and certainly knowledgeable, I just wish the material was more relevant.
Mar 23, 2026 · Historical comment
She is literally the best professor I've had at BC. Such an amazing lecturer and a great person. As someone who didn't have much background in the middle east going in, she completely changed my perspective. If you are a poli sci or international studies major TAKE HER
Across time
Section-level results available in the recovered archive.
Spring 2025
1 sectionSpring 2024
1 section