Class One - Zionism and the British Empire

1. An investigation of the origins of Zionism through an analysis of the situation facing Jews in late 19th century Europe. I had students try and work out what the possible political options for Jews were

2. A worksheet on the aims and attitudes of the early Zionists using some terrific quotes taken from Benny Morris's Righteous Victims

3. A lecture on British actions and policies in the Middle East during World War I, and its consequences

Class Two: The Mandate 1920-39

1. An introductory lecture on the development of the Jewish community (the Yishuv) in Mandate Palestine up to 1939

2. Group discussion based on homework reading of sections of Gershon Shafir's, “Zionism and Colonialism” (from Ilan Pappe (ed.) The Israel/Palestine question). The students found this text very difficult

3. Short background lecture to the Palestinian Rebellion of 1936-39, followed by group discussion analysing its consequences

Class Three: Israeli War of Independence/Nakba

1. Class discussion of the impact of World War II on Palestine (based on homework reading)

2. Lecture on UN partition plan and war of 1948-49 (involving students analysing maps)

3. Group work using a worksheet on “Explaining the Israeli Victory” cannibalised from parts of an article by Avi Shlaim

4. Final discussion on Legacies of 1948

Class Four: 1967 and its consequences

1. Discussion of homework - What did Israel gain territorially in 1967?

2. Lecture: How the Six-Day War transformed Israeli politics (“Messianic Zionism”) based on Nur Masalha's writings

3. Group discussions using a worksheet on “Why Does the USA Support Israel?” This listed a number of alternative explanations which students had to evaluate.

Class Five: Palestinian Resistance

1. Group discussions using a worksheet on the options for Palestinians following the 1967 War. This consisted of short extracts on the evolution of Palestinian society from 1948 to 1970, followed by questions on possible strategies for the Palestinians.

2. Lecture on the development of Palestinian Resistance from 1964 to the first Intifada

3. Video and discussion: The Road to Palestine (written by Robert Fisk)

Class Six: From Oslo to the Second Intifada

1. Lecture on “The Peace Process” involving student investigations of maps showing what was offered to the Palestinians (taken from the “New Intifada”)

2. Group discussion: Is There A Solution? Students were presented with a worksheet of alternative solutions. They had to decide which one was the most “just” and which was the most likely.

3. Video: Settlers (1999)