Fact or Fiction?

Monday, January 26th was the first lecture class. It was a introduction/review but I felt as though it was moving a little too fast for me. I have never taken any courses on the Middle East so there really is no review for me. I did think it was really interesting when Dr. Metcalf did the segment on myths of the Middle East. I for one found myself looking at the area a little differently after hearing how some of the things I thought were true of the people are not. It just goes to show how the United States media uses propaganda to make sure citizens think a certain way about other countries. I think that this class has opened my mind a bit and I do not feel as uncomfortable studying an area I do not know much about. I was particuarly surprised to find out the Muslims do believe in one God like Christianity and Judaism. Because they had a different name for it (Allah) I always thought they had different beliefs. Although I have more of an open mind about this course, I am still a bit hesistant and nervous because it seems like there is going to be so much to take in and learn. Since I do not have much of a background or foundation of Middle Eastern and African history, I will have to try and step outside of the America perspective and see things from a different view.

"Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land: U.S. Media and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict"

Thusday was the first day of class and I have admit that I was pretty nervous. I like history (I am a history major) but I am comfortable with American history. I have never taken any classes on the Middle East or Africa. I do not know much at all about either region and did not know what to expect. So, for the first day of class we watched a new movie that just became available to the public called, "Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land: U.S. Media and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict." I was totally taken back when I was watching all of the violence that was going on and all of the violence that the United States has been supporting over there. I know that United States news anchors and journalists can be bias or use propoganda as a maniuplative tactic however, I never thought that a story could have 2 completely different sides of which neither have a solid purpose or objective.