Faculty Profile
David Commins
Professor of History; Benjamin Rush Chair in the Liberal Arts and Sciences (1987)
Contact Information
Denny Hall Room 217
Bio
His teaching interests are in modern Middle Eastern history with an emphasis on Islamic thought and political movements. His most recent book is The Mecca Uprising: An Insider's Account of Salafism and Insurrection in Saudi Arabia. His other books are Islam in Saudi Arabia, The Gulf States: A Modern History, The Wahhabi Mission and Saudi Arabia, Historical Dictionary of Syria, and Islamic Reform.
Education
- B.A., University of California at Berkeley, 1976
- Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1985
2022-2023 Academic Year
Fall 2022
FYSM 100 First-Year Seminar
The First-Year Seminar (FYS) introduces students to Dickinson as a "community of inquiry" by developing habits of mind essential to liberal learning. Through the study of a compelling issue or broad topic chosen by their faculty member, students will:
- Critically analyze information and ideas
- Examine issues from multiple perspectives
- Discuss, debate and defend ideas, including one's own views, with clarity and reason
- Develop discernment, facility and ethical responsibility in using information, and
- Create clear academic writing
The small group seminar format of this course promotes discussion and interaction among students and their professor. In addition, the professor serves as students' initial academic advisor. This course does not duplicate in content any other course in the curriculum and may not be used to fulfill any other graduation requirement.
HIST 121 Middle East to 1750
Cross-listed with MEST 121-01. The rise of Islam, the development of Islamic civilization in medieval times and its decline relative to Europe in the early modern era, 1500-1750.
This course is cross-listed as MEST 121.
MEST 121 Middle East to 1750
Cross-listed with HIST 121-01. The rise of Islam, the development of Islamic civilization in medieval times and its decline relative to Europe in the early modern era, 1500-1750.This course is cross-listed as HIST 121.
Spring 2023
HIST 122 Middle East since 1750
Cross-listed with MEST 122-01.
MEST 122 Middle East since 1750
Cross-listed with HIST 122-01.
MEST 200 Modern Iran
Cross-listed with HIST 219-01.
This course examines Iran's history from 1500 to the present, with an emphasis on political and religious developments under the Safavid, Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties, and the Islamic Republic.
MEST 200 U.S. - Middle East Relations
Cross-listed with HIST 219-03 and INST 290-01.
This course examines the history of US-Middle East relations from the Barbary Wars to the present. Topics will include American travel and missionary activity in "the Holy Land" during the 1800s; the American role in post-World War I diplomacy affecting the Middle East; rivalry with the Soviet Union; Arab-Israeli diplomacy; petroleum policy; anti-American terrorism; and military interventions.
HIST 219 Modern Iran
Cross-listed with MEST 200-02.
This course examines Iran's history from 1500 to the present, with an emphasis on political and religious developments under the Safavid, Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties, and the Islamic Republic.
HIST 219 U.S. - Middle East Relations
Cross-listed with INST 290-01 and MEST 200-04.
This course examines the history of US-Middle East relations from the Barbary Wars to the present. Topics will include American travel and missionary activity in "the Holy Land" during the 1800s; the American role in post-World War I diplomacy affecting the Middle East; rivalry with the Soviet Union; Arab-Israeli diplomacy; petroleum policy; anti-American terrorism; and military interventions.
INST 290 U.S. - Middle East Relations
Cross-listed with HIST 219-03 and MEST 200-04.
This course examines the history of US-Middle East relations from the Barbary Wars to the present. Topics will include American travel and missionary activity in "the Holy Land" during the 1800s; the American role in post-World War I diplomacy affecting the Middle East; rivalry with the Soviet Union; Arab-Israeli diplomacy; petroleum policy; anti-American terrorism; and military interventions.
MEST 550 Independent Research
