US POLICY IN THE US POLICY IN THE MIDDLE EASTMIDDLE EAST

WARM UPWARM UP

• Identify current or historic Identify current or historic

examples of US involvement examples of US involvement

(activity) in Middle Eastern issues (activity) in Middle Eastern issues

or nations.or nations.

The Middle East and North Africa

CLICK TO VIEWCLICK TO VIEWMelani Cammett on Melani Cammett on

US Interests in the Middle US Interests in the Middle EastEast Jo-Anne Hart onJo-Anne Hart on

Iran’s role in the Middle EAstIran’s role in the Middle EAst

Lesson & Video Clips Courtesy : Choices “US Policy in the Middle East: Analyzing Political Cartoons” in

Teaching with the News

ACTIVITY: ANALYZING ACTIVITY: ANALYZING POLITICAL CARTOONSPOLITICAL CARTOONS

• Step 1: Discuss techniques cartoonists use to Step 1: Discuss techniques cartoonists use to

convey an opinion on political, social, economic convey an opinion on political, social, economic

issues.issues.

• Step 2: Individually, then collectively as a class, Step 2: Individually, then collectively as a class,

analyze “Presidential Medals”analyze “Presidential Medals”• What are the techniques being used?What are the techniques being used?

• What is the message of the cartoon?What is the message of the cartoon?

• How is this cartoon related to what the class knows about the Middle How is this cartoon related to what the class knows about the Middle

East?East?

ACTIVITY: ANALYZING ACTIVITY: ANALYZING POLITICAL CARTOONSPOLITICAL CARTOONS

• Step 3: In groups of 3, analyze two additional cartoons. Each Step 3: In groups of 3, analyze two additional cartoons. Each

group will present a cartoon to the class.group will present a cartoon to the class.

• Answer all the questions on the form. For your presentation think Answer all the questions on the form. For your presentation think

about…about…

• What are the techniques being used?What are the techniques being used?

• What is the message of the cartoon?What is the message of the cartoon?

• How is this cartoon related to what the class knows about the How is this cartoon related to what the class knows about the

Middle East?Middle East?

• Present each cartoon at the board, all cartoons follow in Present each cartoon at the board, all cartoons follow in

presentation.presentation.

DRAW CONNECTIONSDRAW CONNECTIONS

Techniques:Techniques:

• How do cartoonists provide How do cartoonists provide

perspective on issues?perspective on issues?

• What techniques were used What techniques were used

in the cartoons?in the cartoons?

• Which were most effective Which were most effective

at getting point across?at getting point across?

• Were some easier to Were some easier to

identify than others?identify than others?

Message:Message:

• How do these relate to US How do these relate to US

policy in the region?policy in the region?

• Were we able to identify the Were we able to identify the

message of each?message of each?

• What were the cartoonists What were the cartoonists

trying to express?trying to express?

• Are these favorable of Are these favorable of

unfavorable views of US unfavorable views of US

foreign policy?foreign policy?

ACTIVITYACTIVITY

OptionsOptions

•Look over the 4 options for US PolicyLook over the 4 options for US Policy

•Take the survey to assess your thoughts on the issuesTake the survey to assess your thoughts on the issues

•Discuss what these options look like in policyDiscuss what these options look like in policy

•Draft your own option for US policy in the MEDraft your own option for US policy in the ME

• Draw from existing or create your own.Draw from existing or create your own.

• Be specificBe specific

• Examples available for viewing on tablesExamples available for viewing on tables

CLOSURECLOSURE

• What is your opinion on current US policy in What is your opinion on current US policy in the Middle East? the Middle East?

• Are there any current issues/events that Are there any current issues/events that you think are important for the US to you think are important for the US to address at this time?address at this time?

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• This lesson was made possible in part by resources from This lesson was made possible in part by resources from

Brown University’s “Choices Program” – Teaching with Brown University’s “Choices Program” – Teaching with

the News Lessons the News Lessons Egypt’s Uprising Egypt’s Uprising and and After MubarakAfter Mubarak..