COURSE UNIT TITLE

: MIDDLE EAST POLITICS

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
IRL 7071 MIDDLE EAST POLITICS ELECTIVE 3 0 0 5

Offered By

International Relations (English) Non-Thesis (Evening)

Level of Course Unit

Second Cycle Programmes (Master's Degree)

Course Coordinator

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MÜGE AKNUR

Offered to

International Relations (English) Non-Thesis (Evening)

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, nationalism, pan-Arabism and Arab-Israeli conflicts, Islamist politics, political economy including the role of oil in shaping the politics of the region, 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   Identify different political dynamics (colonial rule, post-colonial state formation in the region, nationalism, pan-Arabism and Arab-Israeli conflicts, Islamist politics, political economy including the role of oil in shaping the politics of the region, and the political liberalization and Arab Spring
3   Analyze the political developments in the Middle East
4   Design and write a research paper in order to analyze the political dynamics of the Middle East.
5   Work effectively as a part of a team and individually
6   Demonstrate analytical skills in writing and presenting a report
7   Acquire the skılls 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 Study of the Middle East
3 Colonial Rule and Post-Colonial State Formation in the Middle East
4 Rise of Arab Nationalism
5 Arab-Israeli Conflicts
6 Arab-Israeli Conflict
7 Midterm Exam
8 Islamist Politics
9 Islamist Politics
10 Political Economy of the Middle East
11 Political Economy of the Middle East
12 Political Liberalization and the Arab Spring
13 Political Liberalization and the Arab Spring
14 General overview

Recomended or Required Reading

1. David S. Sorenson, An Introduction to the Modern Middle East (Boulder, CO.: Westview Press, 2008), pp. 1-8.
2. Beverley Milton-Edwards, Contemporary Politics in the Middle East (Cambridge: Polity Press, 2000), pp. 1-14.
3. Edward Said, Orientalism, (New York, Vintage Books, 1979)
4. Giacomo Luciani, "Introduction," in Giacomo Luciani, ed., The Arab State (London: Routledge, 1990), pp. xvii-xxxi.
5. Ilya Harik, "The Origins of the Arab State System," in Giacomo Luciani, ed., The Arab State (London: Routledge, 1990)
6. Many more books and articles

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lecture
2. Individual work (writing and presenting a paper)
3. Group Work (Writing and presenting a report as a group)
4. Participation to class discussion
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 * 0.20 + STT* 0.40 + FIN* 0.40
5 RST RESIT
6 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MTE * 0.20 + STT * 0.40 + RST* 0.40


Further Notes About Assessment Methods

15 percent of final exam (which is 40 percent ) ıs allocated to the term project which
is consisted of a long paper and presentation.

Assessment Criteria

1. Demonstrate understanding of historical background of the region.
2. Evaluate the outcomes of impact of the Arab-Israeli conflicts, religion, economy and political liberalization on current politics in the region.
3. Participate a group work or individual work in analyzing the impact of religion, economy, and political liberalization on current politics in the region.
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. Students are supposed to read all the articles and book chapters assigned for the week before coming to class.
2. Attendance and Participation is compulsory
3. If for any reason the student cannot attend the class, he/she is supposed to inform the instructor prior to class
4. Plagiarism of any kind will result with disciplinary action.

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
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 12 2 24
Preparation for midterm exam 1 12 12
Preparation for final exam 1 15 15
Preparing short assignments 5 5 25
Preparing long assignment 1 13 13
Preparing presentations 1 5 5
Midterm 1 2 2
Final 1 2 2
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 137

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9
LO.14
LO.25
LO.34
LO.44
LO.53
LO.64
LO.74