COURSE UNIT TITLE

: READING AND RESEARCH IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
IRL 6125 READING AND RESEARCH IN THE MIDDLE EAST ELECTIVE 3 0 0 8

Offered By

International Relations (English)

Level of Course Unit

Third Cycle Programmes (Doctorate Degree)

Course Coordinator

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MÜGE AKNUR

Offered to

International Relations (English)

Course Objective

The aim of the course is to introduce the students to an analysis of selected topics in the Middle East. These topics will include historical analysis outlining the conditions
that shape the formation and consolidation of authoritarian rule in modern Middle Eastern states, colonial rule, post-colonial state formation in the region, Arab nationalism,
Arab-Israeli conflicts, Islamist politics, political economy, and the political liberalization and Arab Spring.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   Gain an understanding of political dynamics in the Middle East.
2   Demonstrate an understanding of the historical background of the region by concentrating on the colonial history, post-colonial state formation and Arab natio
3   Analyze the impact of political economy and Islamist politics on current politics in the region.
4   Comprehend the political liberalization process in the region and the Arab Spring and their impact on current politics.
5   Design and write a research paper analyzing the dynamics of Middle East.
6   Work effectively individually or as a member of a group to write and present a paper.
7   Demonstrate high analytical skills in writing a paper.
8   Demonstrate high communication skills to present a paper.
9   Developing skills to get access to the relevant sources through the electronic databases and the library.

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Course Introduction Introduction to Middle East
2 Colonial Rule and Post-Colonial State formation
3 Pan-Arabism and Arab-Israeli Conflicts
4 Pan-Arabism and Arab-Israeli Conflicts
5 Political Economy of the Middle East
6 Political Economy of the Middle East
7 Islamist Politics: Muslim Brotherhood
8 Islamist Politics: Hamas and Hezbollah
9 New Islamist Movements
10 Political Liberalization and the Arab Spring
11 Political Liberalization and the Arab Spring
12 Presentations
13 Presentations
14 General Evaluation

Recomended or Required Reading

1. Rex Brynen et. al. Beyond the Arab Spring: Authoritarianism and Demcoratization in the Arab World. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2012.
2. Rex Brynen, BahgatKorany and Paul Noble, Political Liberalization and Democratization in the Arab World: Theoretical Perspectives, Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 1995.
3. Beverley Milton-Edwards, Contemporary Politics in the Middle East, Cambridge: Polity Press, 2000.
4. Najib Ghadbian, Democratization and Islamist Challenge in the Arab World, Boulder: Westview Press, 1992.
5. Terry Lynn Karl, The Paradox of Plemty: Oil Booms and Petro States, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1997.
6. Many more books and articles.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lectures
2. Individual Presentations
3. Group Presentations
4. Participation to class discussions
5. Exams

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MTE MIDTERM EXAM
2 STT TERM WORK (SEMESTER)
3 FIN FINAL EXAM
4 FCG FINAL COURSE GRADE MTE * 0.30 + STT * 0.30 + FIN* 0.40
5 RST RESIT
6 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MTE * 0.30 + STT * 0.30 + RST* 0.40


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

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

15 percent of the 40 percent of the final exam is consisted of a long paper and presentation
25 percent of the 40 percent of final exam is consisted of a final exam held in a classroom

Assessment Criteria

At the end of the course the learner will
1. Describe and explain the political dynamics in the Middle East.
2. Get a grasp of the historical background of Middle East and its impact on current politics.
3. Critically analyze the impact of political economy and Islamist politics on current politics in the region.
4. Critically analyze the political liberalization process in the region and the Arab Spring and their impact on current politics.
5. Design and write a research paper analyzing the dynamics of Middle East.
6. Work effectively individually or as a member of a group to write and present a paper.
7. Demonstrate high analytical skills in writing a paper.
8. Demonstrate high communication skills to present a paper

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

1. At least 70 percent of attendance is mandatory.
2. Participation to class discussions is compulsory.
3. Any attempt for plagiarism will result with disciplinary action.
4. If the students cannot attend the course they should inform the instructor in advance.

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 13 3 39
Preparation for final exam 1 15 15
Preparing assignments 5 5 25
Preparing assignments 1 10 10
Preparing presentations 1 10 10
Preparation for midterm exam 1 10 10
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 14 6 84
Final 1 3 3
Midterm 1 3 3
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 199

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10PO.11PO.12PO.13
LO.115
LO.2
LO.35
LO.45
LO.55
LO.65
LO.75
LO.85
LO.95