Politics In Our Time (Contemporary Middle East Politics)
UndergraduateLTU-POL3HON2025
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Politics In Our Time (Contemporary Middle East Politics)
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Develop a critical understanding of the historical as well as contemporary forces that shape the contemporary politics of the Middle East.
- Draw on broader International Relations theories and concepts to make sense of the global and regional power rivalries in the region.
- Develop the capability to critically assess competing explanations of the major events and developments in the region.
- Improve research and analytical skills by drawing on primary and secondary sources on the Middle East region.
- Empires, Colonialism, and Modern States in the Middle East
- Nationalism
- Islamism
- State-Society Relations
- Social Movements
- Conflict and Political Violence
- Regional Politics in the Middle East
The Middle East region has been an epicentre of global and regional power rivalries with profound consequences for the peoples of the region, global politics, and security. This subject focuses on the intersection of global and regional politics to introduce you to the historical as well as contemporary forces that shape the contemporary politics of the region. It begins with an introduction to the expansion of imperialism and the modern state system in the region at the end of the First World War and the rise of major ideological forces such as nationalism and political Islam. It then investigates the drivers of contemporary politics and (in)security in the region, such as policies of Western powers, including the United States, regional rivalries between Iran and Saudi Arabia, militant jihadist movements, and the impact of the 2011-2013 Arab Spring protest movements across the region. Throughout the subject, you will be encouraged to critically engage in debates about democracy, authoritarianism, social movements, and human rights.
This is a level 3 subject. Please consider the subject pre-requisites before enrolling. This subject includes live sessions with the expectation of student attendance and participation.
- Research report (2,000 words). This is a summative piece of assessment that tests students' analytical, research, critical and communication skills, and how well they have engaged with the core themes and ideas of the subject. (50%)
- Weekly blog posts (approx 1000 words) (20%)
- Mid-term essay (1500 words) (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Others
Prerequisites: Students must have completed 60 credit points of Level two subjects.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateLAT-HSC-DEG
Bachelor of Information Technology
UndergraduateLAT-TEC-DEG
UndergraduateLAT-CYS-DEG
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