The hidden Middle East : reasons for America's misconceptions about this region : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

Our society and educational system promote a definition of the Middle East that relates exclusively to American self-interest, thereby ignoring the also important diverse cultures and people of this area. This situation is not likely to change radically at any time in the future. The prevailing patterns of thought that America has about the Middle East are so deeply ingrained that change will only come about with conscious effort. Our government, media and scholars, as a whole, do not recognize the significance of this problem, further diminishing the likelihood of it being fully addressed.