An introduction to the modern Arab world, tracing its transformation after the Ottoman Empire through colonialism, nationalism, independence, and ongoing struggles over identity, power, and culture.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This one-day introductory course explores the history and social transformations of the Arab world following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. Beginning with the end of Ottoman rule and the impact of European colonialism, we examine how new borders, states, and political systems were imposed and contested.
Through country-specific examples, we explore the rise of Arab nationalism, anti-colonial struggle, and competing visions of independence, from Egypt’s postcolonial state-building to Algeria’s violent war of liberation. The course then traces the emergence of Arab nationalism, independence movements, military regimes, and monarchies, as well as the social and cultural changes that accompanied them.
We will consider how cultural production (literature, cinema, music) both shaped and reflected political change, before finally examining the post-Cold War period and the uprisings of the 2010s, asking how earlier historical patterns help us understand the present. Throughout, the emphasis is on making sense of the Arab world’s modern history in human, social, and cultural terms.
What will we cover?
• The end of the Ottoman Empire: governance, reform, and the impact of imperial collapse
• Colonialism and new borders: the mandate system, European rule, and its social consequences
• Arab nationalism and independence: ideas, movements, and competing visions of the nation
• Culture and politics: the role of literature, cinema, and music
• From Cold War to Arab uprisings: continuity, rupture, and the legacies of the 20th century
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Evaluate the major historical transformations of the Arab world after the Ottoman Empire
• Understand how colonialism shaped modern states, borders, and social structures
• Identify key themes such as nationalism, authoritarianism, culture, and social change
• Recognise the diversity of experiences within the Arab world alongside shared histories
• Better contextualize contemporary events through an understanding of longer historical patterns
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory-level course designed for adult learners with an interest in history, politics, and culture. No prior knowledge of the Arab world is required. A good level of spoken and written English is essential. An open and respectful approach to discussion of complex and sometimes sensitive topics is encouraged
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points. You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment. Reading is encouraged but is not obligatory.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. Bring a pen and paper if you wish to take notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please see the North Africa & Middle-East area of the City Lit website.
Dr Jean-Baptiste de Vaulx has taught at Royal Holloway, University of London, and currently is an associate lecturer at University College London. His fields of teaching and research focus on world cinema, international film history, film festivals and cinephile film cultures. He has published articles and book chapters on varied topics including child characters in Iranian cinema, the theme of home in the films of Lucrecia Martel, the Japanese new wave director Hiroshi Teshigahara, and the history of world cinema programming on Channel Four.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-post-ottoman-arab-world3026302The Post-Ottoman Arab Worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/social-anthropology-1024.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Middle East & North Africa228511771178135601228511771178<p>An introduction to the modern Arab world, tracing its transformation after the Ottoman Empire through colonialism, nationalism, independence, and ongoing struggles over identity, power, and culture.</p>003026293The Post-Ottoman Arab World6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/social-anthropology-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-07-11T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH2616969The Post-Ottoman Arab World554569Jean-Baptiste de Vaulxthe-post-ottoman-arab-world/hwh261-2526<p>An introduction to the modern Arab world, tracing its transformation after the Ottoman Empire through colonialism, nationalism, independence, and ongoing struggles over identity, power, and culture.</p>0000-Available|2026-07-11 00:00:00<p>This one-day introductory course explores the history and social transformations of the Arab world following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. Beginning with the end of Ottoman rule and the impact of European colonialism, we examine how new borders, states, and political systems were imposed and contested.</p><p>Through country-specific examples, we explore the rise of Arab nationalism, anti-colonial struggle, and competing visions of independence, from Egypt’s postcolonial state-building to Algeria’s violent war of liberation. The course then traces the emergence of Arab nationalism, independence movements, military regimes, and monarchies, as well as the social and cultural changes that accompanied them.</p><p>We will consider how cultural production (literature, cinema, music) both shaped and reflected political change, before finally examining the post-Cold War period and the uprisings of the 2010s, asking how earlier historical patterns help us understand the present. Throughout, the emphasis is on making sense of the Arab world’s modern history in human, social, and cultural terms.</p><p> </p><p>An introduction to the modern Arab world, tracing its transformation after the Ottoman Empire through colonialism, nationalism, independence, and ongoing struggles over identity, power, and culture.</p><p>• The end of the Ottoman Empire: governance, reform, and the impact of imperial collapse</p><p> • Colonialism and new borders: the mandate system, European rule, and its social consequences</p><p> • Arab nationalism and independence: ideas, movements, and competing visions of the nation</p><p>• Culture and politics: the role of literature, cinema, and music</p><p>• From Cold War to Arab uprisings: continuity, rupture, and the legacies of the 20th century</p><p> </p><p>• Evaluate the major historical transformations of the Arab world after the Ottoman Empire</p><p> • Understand how colonialism shaped modern states, borders, and social structures</p><p> • Identify key themes such as nationalism, authoritarianism, culture, and social change</p><p> • Recognise the diversity of experiences within the Arab world alongside shared histories</p><p> • Better contextualize contemporary events through an understanding of longer historical patterns</p><p>This is an introductory-level course designed for adult learners with an interest in history, politics, and culture. No prior knowledge of the Arab world is required. A good level of spoken and written English is essential. An open and respectful approach to discussion of complex and sometimes sensitive topics is encouraged</p><p>PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points. You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment. Reading is encouraged but is not obligatory.</p><p>No other costs. Bring a pen and paper if you wish to take notes.</p><p>Please see the North Africa & Middle-East area of the City Lit website. </p>HistoryThe Middle East & North Africavirtual556945HWH261NONESat11/07/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetJean-Baptiste de VaulxAvailable courses2026-07-11T00:00:00+00:00Jul 2026Culture, history & humanities6969The Post-Ottoman Arab Worldthe-post-ottoman-arab-world/hwh261-2526<p>An introduction to the modern Arab world, tracing its transformation after the Ottoman Empire through colonialism, nationalism, independence, and ongoing struggles over identity, power, and culture.</p>0000-Available|2026-07-11 00:00:00<p>This one-day introductory course explores the history and social transformations of the Arab world following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. Beginning with the end of Ottoman rule and the impact of European colonialism, we examine how new borders, states, and political systems were imposed and contested.</p><p>Through country-specific examples, we explore the rise of Arab nationalism, anti-colonial struggle, and competing visions of independence, from Egypt’s postcolonial state-building to Algeria’s violent war of liberation. The course then traces the emergence of Arab nationalism, independence movements, military regimes, and monarchies, as well as the social and cultural changes that accompanied them.</p><p>We will consider how cultural production (literature, cinema, music) both shaped and reflected political change, before finally examining the post-Cold War period and the uprisings of the 2010s, asking how earlier historical patterns help us understand the present. Throughout, the emphasis is on making sense of the Arab world’s modern history in human, social, and cultural terms.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>An introduction to the modern Arab world, tracing its transformation after the Ottoman Empire through colonialism, nationalism, independence, and ongoing struggles over identity, power, and culture.</p><p>• The end of the Ottoman Empire: governance, reform, and the impact of imperial collapse</p><p>&nbsp;• Colonialism and new borders: the mandate system, European rule, and its social consequences</p><p>&nbsp;• Arab nationalism and independence: ideas, movements, and competing visions of the nation</p><p>• Culture and politics: the role of literature, cinema, and music</p><p>• From Cold War to Arab uprisings: continuity, rupture, and the legacies of the 20th century</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>• Evaluate the major historical transformations of the Arab world after the Ottoman Empire</p><p>&nbsp;• Understand how colonialism shaped modern states, borders, and social structures</p><p>&nbsp;• Identify key themes such as nationalism, authoritarianism, culture, and social change</p><p>&nbsp;• Recognise the diversity of experiences within the Arab world alongside shared histories</p><p>&nbsp;• Better contextualize contemporary events through an understanding of longer historical patterns</p><p>This is an introductory-level course designed for adult learners with an interest in history, politics, and culture. No prior knowledge of the Arab world is required. A good level of spoken and written English is essential. An open and respectful approach to discussion of complex and sometimes sensitive topics is encouraged</p><p>PowerPoint will be used to illustrate key points. You will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas in a relaxed and friendly environment. Reading is encouraged but is not obligatory.</p><p>No other costs. Bring a pen and paper if you wish to take notes.</p><p>Please see the North Africa &amp; Middle-East area of the City Lit website.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>HistoryThe Middle East & North Africaconfigurable
135601178The Middle East & North Africahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/the-middle-east-north-africa1/2/285/1177/1178/135601/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Middle East & North Africa
