The history of the Middle East dates back to antiquity, and throughout the millennia it has been a focus of world affairs. The Middle East is also the cradle of religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Middle East has a mostly arid climate, with several major rivers supporting agriculture in some areas, especially in Mesopotamia. The major natural resource of the Persian Gulf area is crude oil, which has resulted in prosperity for many countries in the Arabian peninsula, and the intense interest of countries such as the USA. In modern era, the Middle East continues to be a politically, culturally and religiously sensitive region. (Wikipedia)
The task of appreciating the problems of a region as complicated the Middle East might make you feel like giving up. But to stop trying to understand the Middle East would mean forgoing the opportunity to benefit financially, to preserve some of the world’s artistic and cultural riches, to guard the safety of millions of people, and to edify people's lives with better religious understanding.
But to truly understand the competing interests in this complicated region of the earth, one must look closely at the differing viewpoints of the region's stakeholders.
your task (should you decide to accept it...)
The United Nations feels very strongly about the need to bring a lasting peace to the Middle East. To achieve this end, the UN Secretary-General is creating a special committee to investigate the differing viewpoints of the stakeholders and try to find common ground. The team will consist of people from each of the main stakeholding countries/groups so that the facts they find will present a true view of the complex puzzle of the Middle East.
YOU WILL PLAY THE ROLE OF A DELEGATE TO THIS COMMITTEE REPRESENTING ONE OF THESE STAKEHOLDERS
Your Question is:
What can be done to facilitate a lasting peace in the Middle East?
Your team will develop a group report that contains a plan that will take into account the perspectives of all of the main parties involved.
By completing this WebQuest you should achieve the following goals:
Finally, your team will contact the real-world consulates of America, Israel, Iran and Britain to try and get authentic feedback on your proposed solution.
YOU WILL PLAY THE ROLE OF A DELEGATE TO THIS COMMITTEE REPRESENTING ONE OF THESE STAKEHOLDERS
Your Question is:
What can be done to facilitate a lasting peace in the Middle East?
Your team will develop a group report that contains a plan that will take into account the perspectives of all of the main parties involved.
By completing this WebQuest you should achieve the following goals:
- develop an interest in problems of the Middle East.
- use the Internet for an exploration of the Middle East question.
- realise that complex topics can be looked at from differing perspectives.
- formulate and support an argument from one of the six perspectives.
- negotiate with teammates to come up with a combined action plan.
- question the nature of international relations in our globalised world.
Finally, your team will contact the real-world consulates of America, Israel, Iran and Britain to try and get authentic feedback on your proposed solution.
THE roles of the stakeholders
Because the Middle East is a complex region, it is senseless to view its problems from only one perspective. If you only looked at the perspective of Israel, you might miss the viewpoint of the Palestinians. If you only looked at the viewpoint of the United States, you might miss the driving force of of Islamic Fundamentalism. So the plan is to look from as many perspectives as you have teammates. This is where you really begin the Middle East Webquest. Read the following instructions to get underway.
Looking at Issues from Different Perspectives
Israeli Delegate - to represent the interests of Israel
Palestinian Delegate - to represent the interests of the Palestinian people
American Delegate - to represent the interests of America
British Delegate - to represent the interests of Britain
Hezbollah Delegate - to represent the interests of Hezbollah
Iranian Delegate - to represent the interests of Iran
Note: If you have six people on your team, you can each take one role (or if you work in pairs, up to 12 people can be on one team). If you have less than six people on your team, you will have to choose the roles that you think would give you the best understanding. Will you choose similar roles or very different ones? You decide.
Now that you have chosen which roles you and your teammates will take, you're ready to become an expert. Reports have been prepared for each role which contain background information and links to internet sites and videos that should help you gain a clear understanding of the issues involved in your role. Finally each Report helps you discover the 'truth' about your country's perspective and help to create a Group Report including recommendations. Click on a link below to begin your chosen role.
Looking at Issues from Different Perspectives
Israeli Delegate - to represent the interests of Israel
Palestinian Delegate - to represent the interests of the Palestinian people
American Delegate - to represent the interests of America
British Delegate - to represent the interests of Britain
Hezbollah Delegate - to represent the interests of Hezbollah
Iranian Delegate - to represent the interests of Iran
Note: If you have six people on your team, you can each take one role (or if you work in pairs, up to 12 people can be on one team). If you have less than six people on your team, you will have to choose the roles that you think would give you the best understanding. Will you choose similar roles or very different ones? You decide.
Now that you have chosen which roles you and your teammates will take, you're ready to become an expert. Reports have been prepared for each role which contain background information and links to internet sites and videos that should help you gain a clear understanding of the issues involved in your role. Finally each Report helps you discover the 'truth' about your country's perspective and help to create a Group Report including recommendations. Click on a link below to begin your chosen role.
once you have become an expert...
Having researched your role and become an Middle East expert, you should add an entry from your stakeholder's perspective on the group report blog page outlining what YOU believe is necessary for Middle East peace. Once all stakeholders have done this and you have read all the competing perspectives, a physical conference is held.
It should be remembered that all of these stakeholders have perpetrated acts of war (or extreme violence) defending their interests in this issue. It is a highly charged situation.
IF POSSIBLE, a compromise position should be reached with the group recommendations reported to a group session of the United Nations (an assembly of students and teachers). This will not be simple because each country's delegate will each feel they have found the solution based upon what is most important for their country. However, problems arise: what's good for Israel may not be good for the USA. What is good for Britain is probably not good for Hezbollah. What's good for Palestinians may not be good for Iran. How can your group resolve these competing interests?
IF AGREEMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE there should be a majority report and a minority report of the committee. Both of these reports should be reported to a group session of the United Nations (an assembly of students and teachers).
Going to war is not an option. A negotiated peace is the only way out.
It should be remembered that all of these stakeholders have perpetrated acts of war (or extreme violence) defending their interests in this issue. It is a highly charged situation.
IF POSSIBLE, a compromise position should be reached with the group recommendations reported to a group session of the United Nations (an assembly of students and teachers). This will not be simple because each country's delegate will each feel they have found the solution based upon what is most important for their country. However, problems arise: what's good for Israel may not be good for the USA. What is good for Britain is probably not good for Hezbollah. What's good for Palestinians may not be good for Iran. How can your group resolve these competing interests?
IF AGREEMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE there should be a majority report and a minority report of the committee. Both of these reports should be reported to a group session of the United Nations (an assembly of students and teachers).
Going to war is not an option. A negotiated peace is the only way out.
This webquest is based in part on Tom March's Visions of China Webquest http://tommarch.com/webquests/china/chinaquest.html and the author acknowledges a debt to Mr March's model.
WEBQUEST BY SCOTT WILLIAMS for EDLT 588 Assignment
WEBQUEST BY SCOTT WILLIAMS for EDLT 588 Assignment
