COURSE UNIT TITLE

Offered By

International Relations

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MÜGE AKNUR

Offered to

International Relations

Course Objective

The course aims at introducing the students to the domestic politics of the Middle East. It will focus on a variety of themes including the colonial rule, post-colonial state formation and nation building in the region, the Arab-Israeli conflicts, the political economy of the region, the rise Islamic movements, persistence of authoritarian rule, political liberalization as well as Arab Spring.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Recomended or Required Reading

Beverley Milton-Edwards, Contemporary Politics in the Middle East, Cambridge: Polity Press, 2000.
David S. Sorenson, An Introduction to the Modern Middle East, Boulder, CO.: Westview Press, 2008.
William Ochsenwald and Sydney Nettleton Fisher, The Middle East, A History, Boston: McGraw Hill, 2004.
Melani Commett, The Political Economy of Development in the Middle East, in The Middle East, eds., Ellen Lust, (14th
, edition) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, CQ Press, 2017.
Robert Lee and Lihi Ben Shitrit, Religion, Society and Politics in the Middle East, , in The Middle East, eds., Ellen Lust,
(14th edition) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, CQ Press, 2017, pp. 205-241.
Müge Aknur, The Muslim Brotherhood in Politics in Egypt: From Moderation to Authorianism , Uluslararası Hukuk ve
Politika, 9, 33 (2013).
Daniel Brumber, Democratization in the Arab World The Trap of Liberalized Autocracy, Journal of Democracy, 13, 4
(2002).
Eva Bellin, The Robustness of Authoritarianism in the Middle East: Exceptionalism in Comparative Perspectives,
Comparative Politics, 36. 2 (2004).
Rex Brynen, Pete W. Moore, Bassel F. Salloukh, Marie-Joelle Zahar, Beyond the Arab Spring: Authoritarianism and
Democratization in the Arab World, Boulder and London: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2012.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lecture
2. Individual or Group Work (Researching and presenting a paper)
3. Exams

Assessment Methods

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

None

Assessment Criteria

1. Demonstrate understanding of historical background of the region though paying attention to colonial period.
2. Evaluate the outcomes of impact of the Arab-Israeli conflicts, religion, economy and political liberalization on current politics in the region.
3. Participate in group presentation.
4. Demonstrate high communication skills in writing and presenting a report.
5. Acquire the skills to use library and internet resources independently.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

1. Attending at least 70 % of lectures is mandatory.
2. Plagiarism of any type will result in disciplinary action.
3. Participation in class discussions and group presentations are compulsory.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

muge.aknur@deu.edu.tr

Office Hours

to be announced.

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes