GI5063 - Politics of the Middle East (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Politics of the Middle East | ||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Assessment components |
|
||||||||||
| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
|
Module summary
On this module, you will develop your understanding of politics in the Middle East. We will focus on developments across the region and place them in the context of contemporary international relations. In particular, the module aims to: explain the processes by which the states and societies of the contemporary Middle East were formed; explore the main ideological currents that have influenced the political development of the Middle East, particularly those inspired by religion and nationalism; and examine the international relations of the region, focusing on the sources of conflicts and the difficult relationship between the West and the Middle East.
The module is required for students following the Global South pathway on the BA International Relations.
Prior learning requirements
None. Available for Study Abroad.
Syllabus
The module focuses on the internal political, social and economic dynamics of the region and the external forces affecting it (LO2). It considers the impact of the Ottoman Empire, European imperialism, international communism and the United States in this respect (LO1, 3). In exploring the evolution of societies and polities in the contemporary Middle East, it deals with the significance of concepts of religious faith, community, tribe, clan, nation, class and the state (LO1). The module devotes particular attention to key themes such as Zionism, Arab nationalism, the global strategic importance of Middle Eastern oil, political liberalisation and democracy, and the varied expressions of Islam in politics (LO3).
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Teaching consists of a weekly two-hour lecture period followed by a one-hour seminar. Lectures will involve a combination of taught lectures, videos and the use of first-hand documents and websites. Blended learning will be a key component of the module. Lecture notes and first-hand documents for use in class will be posted online, as will web links for academic and governmental websites, as well as video links.
Questions for class discussion will be available from the beginning of the module via the Weblearn site, which will include a list of resources students can use to answer the questions and study the subject in greater depth.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the background to contemporary political developments in the MENA region.
2. Analyse the political, religious, social and economic forces that have shaped the region in the 20th and 21st centuries.
3. Comprehend the significance of the Middle East in international affairs and explain why it is a focus of conflict.
4. Communicate effectively in speech and writing (for example, writing an essay using commonly accepted standards of definition, analysis, grammatical prose, and documentation).