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Politics in the Middle East

Overview

  • Credit value: 15 credits at Level 5
  • Convenor and tutor: Barry Maydom
  • Assessment: a 3000-word essay (90%) and 500-600-word seminar log (10%)

Module description

This module introduces you to the academic study of contemporary politics in the Middle East. It aims to bridge political science and area studies perspectives to critically engage with political developments and conflicts in the region. The geographical definition of the Middle East is an inclusive one, including North Africa, the Levant, Turkey, Iran and the Gulf states. The historical span of the course begins with the establishment of the modern state system in the wake of the First World War, but the main focus is on contemporary political developments. Topics include colonialism, ideology, political regimes, international relations, gender and minorities.

Indicative module syllabus

  • What is ‘The Middle East’?
  • The Legacies of Colonialism
  • Ideology I: Arab Nationalism
  • Ideology II: Political Islam
  • Political Regimes I: Monarchies and Dictatorships
  • Political Regimes II: Democratisation and the Arab Uprisings
  • Politics and Society I: Gender and Politics
  • Politics and Society II: Sectarianism and Minorities
  • International Relations I: War and Peace
  • International Relations II: The Great Powers and the Middle East

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will:

  • be familiar with the evolution of Middle Eastern polities and societies, as well as external powers’ interactions with them
  • have developed a critical approach to key concepts and texts used in the analysis of the region.