About this course: This course deals with the Israeli politics, economy, society and culture, since its creation in 1948 till today. It analyzes the construction of the Israeli historical narrative as an identity-building narrative, intending to inculcate a collective memory to a diverse society. We will focus on key events and essential components that shaped the Israeli society from the fifties till the present. We will also discuss the changes that the Israeli society experiences in its almost seventy years of existence and how it affects its politics and culture. Among the topics we will discuss issues such as immigration, economic transformation, political upheaval, religious Zionism and post-Zionism, privatization and Americanization, Holocaust increasing role in shaping Israel's identity, diversity and multiculturalism, as well as the enduring conflict with the Palestinians and the Arab world.

Created by: Tel Aviv University

Taught by: Professor Eyal Naveh, General History
General History professor at Tel Aviv University and at the Kibbutzim College of Education
Taught by: Professor Asher Susser, Senior Research Fellow
Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies

Level	Beginner
Commitment	5 weeks of study, 1-2 hours/week
Language	English, Subtitles: Hebrew
How To Pass	Pass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings	4.7 stars Average User Rating 4.7See what learners said

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Israeli Society: The First Years 1948-1967

In the first two decades of its existence the new state of Israel faced many challenges. Israelis at this period faced economic difficulties, insecure boarders, political challenges and social upheavals. Led by the Labor party, the new state absorbed huge num...

13 videos, 2 readings

Graded: Evaluate your knowledge

WEEK 2

Israel, Between War and Peace 1967-1979

From the late Sixties until the late Seventies Israeli society experienced two major wars that had a huge impact on life in the country, as well as one peace agreement that altered the status of Israel in the area and reinvigorated hope for a better future.

9 videos, 2 readings

Graded: Quiz

WEEK 3

Israel - A Society in transition 1977-1995

In this lesson we will discuss the essential developments that transformed Israeli society at the end of the twentieth century.

10 videos, 1 reading

Graded: Quiz

WEEK 4

Changing Identity

This segment of the course attempts to explore the very elusive topic of Israel’s changing identity.

7 videos, 3 readings

Graded: Quiz

WEEK 5

Israel in the 21th century

The last part of the course will explore current issues that characterize Israel today. The "Start Up Nation", Social inequality, the Political fragmentation & the difficulties of being situated in the unstable and non-democratic Muslim Middle East.

8 videos

Graded: Quiz

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Creators

Tel Aviv University

Tel Aviv University (TAU) is Israel's largest institution of higher learning – with over 30,000 students and more than 125 schools and departments in nine faculties. Global in outlook and impact, it is consistently ranked among the world's top 100 universities, as well as the top 20 institutions in terms of scientific citations. A spirit of openness and innovation is evident in all of TAU's teaching and research activities, breaking down barriers between disciplines, and boldly striving to address the twenty-first century's most pressing challenges.

Ratings and Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 of 76 ratings

A short and interesting course

avant je résumais l'histoire d’Israël à la religion mais aujourd'hui je connais l'origine de ce peuple pourquoi et par qui ils ont été chassés de leur territoire et l’origine de leurs différents conflits.j'ai appris la construction et le développement de leur nation le seul bémol il n'y avait pas de sous-titres en français donc la traduction que j'avais était un peu archaïque.

Factual Based. Without the bias usually found in course of this subject

Good info. Very credible professor. Up to date.

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The History of Modern Israel - Part II: Challenges of Israel as a sovereign state

The History of Modern Israel - Part II: Challenges of Israel as a sovereign state

The History of Modern Israel - Part II: Challenges of Israel as a sovereign state