COURSE UNIT TITLE

Offered By

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UOLP-SUNY ALBANY)

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MÜGE AKNUR

Offered to

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UOLP-SUNY ALBANY)
Political Science and International Relations (UOLP-SUNY ALBANY)

Course Objective

The aim of the course is to introduce the learners to the domestic politics of the Middle East. It will focus on a variety of themes including the strategic significance of the region, colonial rule, post-colonial state formation in
the region, and pan-Arabism (Arab-Israeli Conflict), rise of political Islam, political economy and political liberalization and the recent Arab Spring in the region.

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

1. Beverley Milton-Edwards, Contemporary Politics in the Middle East (Cambridge: Polity Press, 2000),
2. Najib Ghadbian, Democratization and Islamist Challenge in the Arab World, (Boulder: Westview Press, 1992)
3. David S. Sorenson, An Introduction to the Modern Middle East (Boulder, CO.: Westview Press, 2008)
4. William Ochsenwald and Sydney Nettleton Fisher, The Middle East, A History, (Boston: McGraw Hill, 2004)
5. Rex Brynen, BahgatKorany and Paul Noble, Political Liberalization and Democratization in the Arab World: Theoretical Perspectives, (Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 1995)
6. Monter Palmer, The Politics of the Middle East, (Belmont, CA: Thomson, Wadsworth, 2007)

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lecture
2. Individual or Group Work (Writing 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 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.

The Rubric used for the Evaluation of the Term Paper and its Presentations.
a) Poor (0%) b) Fair (40%) c) Good (60%) d) Very good (80%) e) Excellent (100%)
Term Paper Evaluation Criteria (Total Points 100):
1) Introduction Justification of the subject choice- 10 Points a) An introduction is not provided b) An introduction is insufficiently provided c) An introduction is offered although the order is unclear d) An introduction is sufficiently provided e) The subject under examination is thoroughly presented, and the sequence in which it will be examined throughout the paper is well described.
2) Theoretical Framework - 10 Points a) Theoretical framework is not explained b) Theoretical framework is explained weakly and inadequately c) Theoretical framework is offered, but its relevance to the issue is not properly proved d) Theoretical framework is superficially examined and its relevance to the issue is properly explained e) Theoretical framework is thoroughly analyzed, and its relevance to the topic under examination is clarified.
3) Historical Background - 10 Points a) Historical background is not examined b) Historical background is examined insufficiently c) Historical background is examined either briefly or in too much details d) Historical background is examined sufficiently e) Historical background is adequately and accurately examined.
4) Case Study - 25 points a) Case study is analyzed superficially b) Case study is not sufficiently examined c) Analysis of the case study has some weaknesses d) Case study is analyzed sufficiently e) Case study is properly and adequately analyzed with the help of the theoretical framework.
5) Conclusion -15 points a) No conclusion provided b) Conclusion provided is insufficient and inconsistent c) Conclusion is adequate but composed in a disorganized way d) An explanatory and systematic conclusion is written e) Conclusion is developed coherently and analytically, within the scheme of theoretical framework.
6) Citation in the text and references (APA style) -15 points a) No citation in the text and no bibliography provided b) APA citation and reference style is not used c) APA style is written with major mistakes d) APA style is written with minor mistakes e) Both citations in the text and in the references are written correctly according to APA style.
7) Types of references 15 points a) Only internet sources are shown as references b) Internet sources and translation of Turkish books are shown as references c) Journal articles and books from the internet are shown as references d) Journal articles and books from less known publishers are shown as references e) Journal articles from electronic data bases and books published in prestigious publishers are shown as references.

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