Middle-East Politics
UndergraduateMAQ-POIX2782019
Course information for 2019 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Familiarise yourself with domestic politics in the Middle East. Build a foundational knowledge of 19th and 20th century regional politics. Appraise Middle East government structures. Use the global post-9/11 environment to contextualise your studies.
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
- -
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Middle-East Politics
About this subject
At the completion of this subject, students will be able to:
- undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester
- outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the contemporary politics of the Middle East
- outline the geography and contemporary history of the Middle East
- effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form
- participate and lead, when necessary, in class discussions
- use a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics
- raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.
- The Middle East: Introduction and Definitions
- The Ottoman legacy and Colonialism
- The Postcolonial States in the Middle East
- Arab Nationalism and The `Arabization' of the Palestinian Question
- The `End of Pan-arabism' and the `remaking' of a regional order
- The politics of religious revival. The `Islamic Revolution' in Iran
- Preparation for essay submission
- Gender Politics
- Political and Economic Reform
- The United States and the Middle East
- Iraq and Iran in the 21st century
- Crises in the Centre of the System: the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and political instability in Lebanon
This subject was previously known as PLTX278 Middle East Politics.
The September 11 terrorist attacks focused world attention on the Middle East and its relations with the West. This subject introduces students to the domestic politics of the Middle East, and to the intellectual and ideological currents shaping those politics. The first weeks are devoted to the contemporary history of the region from the late 19th century to the rise of post-colonial states in the area. Broad-ranging theoretical concepts necessary for an understanding of Middle Eastern political processes, and different ways of looking at those processes, are considered. The subject then examines in detail the structure of government and the politics of the region.
Particular attention is paid to the region's ongoing relations with the West and the current 'war against terrorism'; the emergence and future prospects of religious fundamentalism; and the rise of Arab nationalism and Zionism. The Arab-Israeli conflict, the 2003 Iraq War and the impact of globalism are also covered.
- Essay (40%)
- Non-Invigilated Exam (20%)
- Paper (20%)
- Weekly participation (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-PLTX278 (Not currently available)
Others
Students should have studied some politics at 100 level prior to undertaking this subject.
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.
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