This course will introduce the student to the states and societies of North Africa – a unique sub-region of the Greater Middle East.  It will examine the emergence of modern national identities and political entities (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya), in light of both the pre-colonial and colonial legacies, and look critically at the current challenges facing North African states and societies  in the wake of the "Arab Spring", including those posed by democracy movements, Islamists currents, and a resurgent Berber identity movement.