The sociological analysis of social, historical, and contemporary issues pertaining to the Middle East and to relations between the Middle East and other regions of the world. We use sociological theoretical perspectives to address such topics as nationalism and identity; religion, race and ethnicity; gender, socioeconomic development, and sociopolitical and economic relations with the United States. Prerequisite: One of the following: SOC 104, SOC 110, SOC 150, SOC 160, or SOC 220.