The Middle East (Southwest Asia)

1. The Middle East(Southwest Asia) FSMS 7th Grade Social Studies; Unit 2 Governance (Role of Religion) September 28th – 30th; Days 25-26 Georgia Standard SS7CG5(a)

2. The Middle EastGovernment/Civic Understandings Standard SS7CG5 The student will explain the structures of the national governments of Southwest Asia (Middle East). (a) Compare the parliamentary democracy of the State of Israel, the monarchy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the theocracy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, distinguishing the form of leadership, and the role of the citizen in terms of voting rights and personal freedoms.

3. FIRST FIVE AGENDA: After-school tutoring is today from 4 to 5p. SWA Unit Project assignment will be given tomorrow. Standard:Compare the governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran focusing on the form of leadership and the role of the citizen (voting rights & personal freedom). E.Q. Friday; 10/5/12: Which government in SWA is most like that of the United States? Warm Up: What two forms of government best describe the United States? TODAY WE WILL • Review Governmental Structure (Distribution of Power & Citizen Participation) • Introduce the Governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran

4. FIRST FIVE AGENDA: SWA Unit Project Choice Boards go home today. Students choose which projects to complete. Total points must equal 100. Due 12/7/12. Standard:Compare the governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran focusing on the form of leadership and the role of the citizen (voting rights & personal freedom). E.Q. Thursday; 10/4/12: Which country in SWA is a theocracy? Warm Up: Name the head of state in a Parliamentary democracy. TODAY WE WILL • Governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran • Southwest Asia Unit Choice Board Project

5. The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran Israel Israel is a parliamentary democracy. It has a government in which the people elect representatives from a group of different political parties.

6. The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran Israel cont. The Israeli parliament is called the Knesset and its leader is called the Prime Minister. There are several main political parties in the Knesset, but there are also many smaller parties represented.

7. The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Israel cont. All Israeli citizens over the age of 18 are allowed to vote for members of the Knesset. While most of Israel’s Jewish citizens see themselves as secular, (meaning they do not feel the country’s laws should be based solely on religious beliefs) many Israeli laws are influenced by the Orthodox Jews, (those who want government policy to be made according to religious law). Orthodox Jews represent about 25% of the Israeli population.

8. The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Israel cont. Elections are held every four years, unless the party in power begins to lose the support or confidence of a majority of the Knesset members. In that case, elections for a new Knesset may be held earlier than scheduled.

9. The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is ruled by a hereditary monarchy, which means the government is led by a king who comes from a family that has ruled the country for several generations. The king of Saudi Arabia has been a member of the al-Saud family since the 1920’s. The king and his advisors, many of whom are his family members or influential business and religious leaders in the country, make the laws.

10. The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Saudi Arabia cont. There is no constitution, and the king rules for life. The people do not choose the king. When a king dies, the Saudi family announces who the next king will be from among their male family members. Much of Saudi law is based on what these religious leaders say is law found in the Quran, the Muslim holy book. Laws based on the teachings of the Quran are known as Shariah law. Nearly all Saudi citizens are Muslims.

11. The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Iran A theocracy is a government in which God is seen as the true leader of the government and the country’s religious leaders also serve as it’s political leaders. Iran is interesting, because even though the country does have a popularly elected president and legislature, religious leaders also play an important role in the government’s leadership. As a result some classify Iran as a theocratic republic. Iranian citizens over the age of 16 are eligible to vote in elections.

12. The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Iran cont. Most Iranians are members of the Shia sect of Islam. The Shia generally believe that their religious leaders should play an active role in making political decisions, so many Shia clerics (or religious leaders) are also involved in Iranian politics. Many of these religious leaders take the title Ayatollah. (This is a title given to Shia religious leaders who have been recognized for their scholarship and understanding of religious law).

13. The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Iran cont. Because Iran has so much oil wealth and is a leading member of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), the decisions made by the Iranian government have an impact on economies of countries all around the world.