30486 - POLITICS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

This course aims at helping students gain a broad understanding of salient political developments in the contemporary Middle East. It introduces major theoretical and conceptual debates to explain Middle East politics, and provides empirical knowledge of key countries of the region. It also provides students with opportunities to improve their skills in conducting independent research, critically engaging with existing arguments and theoretical frameworks, and writing short essays.

This course is intended as an introduction to Middle Eastern politics. It provides an overview of states and societies in the Middle East, by focusing on key political, ideological and economic transformations from the fall of the Ottoman Empire to the aftermath of the 2011 Arab Uprisings. It familiarizes students with major theories of state formation and state- building in the third world, colonialism and nationalism, political Islam, democratization and authoritarian resilience, revolutions, social movements and popular politics.

Students are expected to acquire knowledge of key aspects of Middle East Politics from the 19th century to present.

• Will be able to critically and scientifically discuss the main political events of Politics in the Middle East, apply theories of political science to the study of this region, and write short essays and research papers.

• Face-to-face lectures
• Individual assignments

Students are required to write one essay and one research paper during the semester. 

• Participation: 20%
• Patial Essay paper: 15%
• Final Research papper: 25%
• Final written exam: 50%

• Written exam: 50%
• Oral exam: 50%

• BEVERLEY, MILTON-EDWARDS, Contemporary Politics in the Middle East, Cambridge: Polity Press, 2018.
• LOUISE, FAWCETT,  International Relations of the Middle East, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2018.
• Other selected readings.