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PL20889: Contemporary politics of the Middle East

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2016/7
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 20%, EX 80%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 20%)
  • Examination (EX 80%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To introduce students to the history and politics of the modern Middle East.
To study the dynamics of different political systems in the region.
To examine the past and present of the great powers' involvement in the Middle East.
To equip students with the conceptual tools to assess the latest political developments in the region.

Learning Outcomes:
After the completion of the course, the students will be able to:
* demonstrate an understanding of the historical background of the Middle East;
* show an awareness of the key features of the political systems in the region;
* apply conceptual tools to assess contemporary developments in the Middle East;
* critically evaluate the Western involvement in the region since the start of the recent Arab uprisings.

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of research are developed and assessed in this unit.

Content:
Section I: Formation of the modern Middle East
i. Making of the modern Middle East - from the Ottomans to the Europeans
ii. The Cold War and superpower rivalry in the Middle East
iii. Islamism and Nationalism in the Middle East
Section II: Political dynamics of the Middle East
i. Republican and monarchical systems in the region
ii. Oil and the rentier-state model
Section III: Power and resistance in the Middle East
i. Politics of resistance and Arab Spring
ii. Humanitarianism, Realpolitik and the Western response to the uprisings.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL20889 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics (Year 2)
  • UHES-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Year long work placement (Year 2)
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 2)

Notes: