Najib Ghadbian

Department of Political Science
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Office: (479) 575-3860

E-mail: ghadbian@uark.edu

Research interests:

Political currents and media in the Arab world, Islamic movements, Syrian politics, and domestic and international politics in the Arabian/Persian Gulf.

Education and Professional Experiences:

Ph.D.     Political Science, 1995. The Graduate School of The City University of New York, NY.
               Dissertation title: Democratization and Islamists in the Arab World. 

MA        Political Science, 1993. The Graduate School of The City University of New York, NY. 

MA        Political Science, 1988. Rutgers University, NJ. 

B.Sc.     Political Science/Economics, 1984. UAE University, United Arab Emirates. 

2000       Assistant Professor. Department of Political Science. University of Arkansas.

1999-00   Visiting Assistant Professor. Department of Political Science. University of Arkansas

Selected Recent Scholarly Activities:

 Books:

 2002       Democratization and the Islamist Challenge in the Arab World: 1980-2000.  Amman & Beirut: Dar al-Manar ( (Arabic)

1997       Democratization and the Islamist Challenge in the Arab World.  Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1997.

Articles:

2002 

“Political Islam: Inclusion or Violence?” in K. Worcestre, S. Bermazhon, & M Ungar, eds. Violence and Politics: Globalization’s Paradox (New York: Routledge) 

“Political Islam and Violence,” Reprinted in, Robert J. Griffiths, ed., Annual Editions: The Developing World 2000-2001 & 2002-2003 (Guilford, CT: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin). 

2001

“The New Asad:  Dynamics of Continuity & Change in Syria,” Middle East Journal, Vol. 55, No. 4, Autumn  

“Contesting the State Monopoly: Syria on Al-Jazeera,” Middle East Review of International Affairs, Vol. 5, No. 2, June  

Essay, “Al-Jazeera’s Coverage of Syrian Politics,” ISIM Newsletter, Number  8, September  

2000 

“ Political Islam and Violence,” New Political Science, Vol. 22, No. 1,  

“ Adrift in the Gulf: Challenges to the GCC States,” UASR Occasional Papers Serious, No. 16, January  

Essay, “Continuity and Change in the Syrian Regime,” Al-Ahram Strategic File, Vol. 6, No. 68, August  (Arabic)

Selected Service Activities:

Serving as the advisor for the University Model Arab League for the 4^th year.

Coordinating the MEST Brown-bag luncheons (1999-2000).

Advising the Arab Student Association, (1999-Present).

Contributed political commentaries to several media outlets including: Local ABC, NBC, Abu Dhabi Satellite TV, NBN, Radio of Qatar, and Sharjah TV Station.  He’s been a frequent called commentator for al-Jazeera Satellite TV Channel since January 2000. 

Teaching: 

Comparative Political Analysis; Seminar in Middle East Politics; Islam and Politics; The Middle East in World Affairs; Political Economy of the Middle East; MEST Colloquium: Political Leadership in the Middle East; Special Topics in Political Science;
Politics of the Middle East; American National Government; Introduction to Political Science & Introduction to IR

 Organizational Memberships:   

American Political Science Association;  International Studies Association;  

Middle East Studies Association;  Middle East Institute