How can we understand the Middle East? Why have states in the region experienced conflict and instability? Should the solution to violence come from outside the region, or can problems only be resolved from the inside? This module aims to answer these questions by introducing you to the societies, cultures, spaces and political systems of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with their diversity, histories and complexities. As such, you will explore different themes related to MENA politics, using different states and societies from the region as case studies. You will gain insight into the root causes of conflicts, the persistence of authoritarian regimes, the rise of youth protest movements, tradition versus modernity
and urbanism versus periphery. You will apply an interdisciplinary and comparative approach, placing the MENA region in a broader context and applying lessons from other parts of the world to better understand the region.
Lecture 16, Workshop 16
1,500 Words/group Short Writing Piece. Assessment Details: Group Project worth 30%.
2,500 Words Extended Essay. Assessment Details: Essay worth 70%.
Reassessment Method: Like for like
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Gain a comprehensive knowledge of the MENA by looking into different states, governments and societies and analysing their continuities and changes across space and time.
2) Critically assess the sources of social, cultural and political developments in the region.
3) Independently make judgements on the political significance of the region, using both a comparative lens to the study of MENA, applying lessons from other parts of the world to understanding regional developments, and by using cases from the MENA region
4) Demonstrate enhanced critical thinking and analytical skills developed by learning about societies and cultures that they have not been exposed to before.
5) Effectively articulate well-reasoned and informed arguments in both written assignments and discussions.
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