COURSE UNIT TITLE

: POLITICS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
IRE 4102 POLITICS IN THE MIDDLE EAST ELECTIVE 3 0 0 6

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

1   Gain an understanding of the historical background of the Middle East region by concentrating on the colonial period and its impact on current politics.
2   Gain an understanding of the state formation and Arab-Israel conflict and their impact on current politics.
3   Analyze the impact of religion and economy on domestic politics in the region.
4   Analyze the political liberalization process (including the recent political liberalization movements, such as Arab Spring) in the region by taking culture, religion, civil society, economy and international actors into consideration.
5   Design and write a research paper in order to analyze domestic politics in the region.
6   Work effectively individually and/or as a part of a team.
7   Demonstrate analytical skills in writing and presenting a report.
8   Acquire the skills to use library and internet resources independently.

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Introduction to the Middle East Politics
2 Colonial Rule and Post-Colonial State Formation in the Middle East Beverley Milton-Edwards, Contemporary Politics in the Middle East, pp. 15-31
3 Nation and State Building and Arab-Israeli Conflicts David S. Sorenson, An Introduction to the Modern Middle East, pp. 11-34 Documentary on Arab-Israeli Conflict
4 Nation and State Building and Arab-Israeli Conflicts William Ochsenwald and Sydney Nettleton Fisher, The Middle East, A History, pp. 533-581. Documentary on Arab-Israeli Conflict
5 Political Econoomy of the Middle East 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, pp. 106-159.
6 Political Economy of the Middle East 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, pp. 106-159.
7 Islamist Politics 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.
8 Islamist Politics Najib Ghadbian, Democratization and Islamist Challenge in the Arab World, Boulder: Westview Press, 1992, pp. 59-82. Müge Aknur, The Muslim Brotherhood in Politics in Egypt: From Moderation to Authorianism , Uluslararası Hukuk ve Politika, 9, 33 (2013), pp. 1-25.
9 Authoritarianism in the Middle East and Arab Spring Daniel Brumber, Democratization in the Arab World The Trap of Liberalized Autocracy, Journal of Democracy, 13, 4 (2002), pp. 56-67. Eva Bellin, The Robustness of Authoritarianism in the Middle East: Exceptionalism in Comparative Perspectives, Comparative Politics, 36. 2 (2004), pp. 139-157.
10 Authoritarianism in the Middle East and Arab Spring 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, Chapter 1: New Horizons in Arab Politics, pp. 1-13; Chapter 2: North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, pp. 17-40.
11 Group Presentations
12 Group Presentations

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

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MT Midterm
2 TRP TermPaper
3 PRS Presentation
4 FN Final
5 FCG FINAL COURSE GRADE MT * 0.30 + TRP * 0.30 +PRS * 0.10 + FN * 0.30
6 RST RESIT
7 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MT * 0.30 +vTRP * 0.30 + PRS * 0.10 +RST * 0.30


*** Resit Exam is Not Administered in Institutions Where Resit is not Applicable.

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

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 12 3 36
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 12 5 60
Preparation for midterm exam 1 10 10
Preparation for final exam 1 10 10
Preparing term assignments 1 25 25
Preparing presentations 1 10 10
Preparation for quiz etc. 0 0 0
Midterm 1 1,5 2
Final 1 1,5 2
Quiz etc. 0 0 0
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 155

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10PO.11PO.12PO.13
LO.14
LO.24
LO.33
LO.44
LO.54
LO.64
LO.74
LO.84