Discuss the main points made in Edward Said’s The Question of Palestine. (Note: this essay question is not meant to be descriptive book review. It requires a critical engagement with the main ideas made in the book)

What is ‘Orientalism’? Discuss its relevance to cultural studies. Give relevant examples from the Arab world. • Why is the understanding of ‘perspective’ and ‘position’ of the orientalist important? • What hegemonic discourse is pervasive in representing the ‘Orient.’ • How have the people of the ‘Orient’ been depicted historically. • How does the discourse of orientalism intersect with the ideology of colonialism? • How is the question of representation of the Arab world relevant today? (in media, policy, and culture) Refer to Week 2, Week 9, and 10.
5. Discuss the main points made in Edward Said’s The Question of Palestine. (Note: this essay question is not meant to be descriptive book review. It requires a critical engagement with the main ideas made in the book). • What was the main motivation behind Said’s book? • To whom is the book directed? • In what ways is the question of Palestinian understood within the wider history of colonialism? • How is ‘Orientalism’ relevant in the understanding of the ‘Question of Palestine’? What is meant by the following quote: “We must understand the struggle between Palestinians and Zionism as a struggle between a presence and an interpretation, the former constantly appearing to be overpowered and eradicated by the latter.” p.8. • How is the question of Palestine relevant to Arabic culture today? • What are the competing discourses behind the differing mappings of Palestine/Israel? • How would you evaluate Edward Said’s stance on the Question of Palestine? Refer to Week 11 readings