Course 2018-2019 a.y.

30486 - POLITICS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Department of Social and Political Sciences

Course taught in English
Go to class group/s: 31
BIG (6 credits - I sem. - OBS  |  SPS/04)
Course Director:
MARINA CALCULLI

Classes: 31 (I sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: MARINA CALCULLI


Mission & Content Summary

MISSION

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.

CONTENT SUMMARY

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.


Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...

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

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • 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.

Teaching methods

  • Face-to-face lectures
  • Individual assignments

DETAILS

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


Assessment methods

  Continuous assessment Partial exams General exam
  • Written individual exam (traditional/online)
    x
  • Individual assignment (report, exercise, presentation, project work etc.)
  x  
  • Active class participation (virtual, attendance)
x    
  • Peer evaluation
  x  

ATTENDING STUDENTS

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

NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

  • Written exam: 50%
  • Oral exam: 50%

Teaching materials


ATTENDING AND NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

  • 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.
Last change 26/09/2018 09:27