PIR-30170 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

NA

Barred Combinations

NA

Description for 2024/25

In an ever-changing world, understanding the Middle East's political dynamics is essential. This module provides a deep dive into the region's intricate web of politics, conflict, development, and geopolitics.
Explore the historical and contemporary challenges, from enduring conflicts to the path towards democracy. Gain insights into the role of natural resources, environmental factors, and territorial disputes in shaping the region's political landscape.
Through engaging lectures, seminars, and case studies, equip yourself with analytical skills to navigate this complex geopolitical terrain. This module is your gateway to comprehending the Middle East's pivotal role in global affairs.

1. Comprehensive Understanding: The primary aim of this module is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Middle East politics, with a particular focus on the intricate interplay between political conflicts and developmental challenges within the region.
2. Conflict Analysis: To equip students with the analytical tools and theoretical frameworks necessary for the in-depth analysis of political conflicts in the Middle East, including their historical roots, evolving dynamics, and impact on regional and international politics.
3. Development Perspectives: To explore various perspectives on development in the Middle East, including economic, social, and sustainable development, and to critically examine the ways in which conflicts influence these development processes.
4. Interdisciplinary Approach: To encourage an interdisciplinary approach by integrating insights from political science, international relations, economics, and development studies, fostering a holistic understanding of the region's complexities.
5. Case Studies: To employ diverse case studies from the Middle East, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations and gain practical insights into conflict resolution and development efforts.
6. Critical Thinking: To promote critical thinking and analytical skills among students, encouraging them to question assumptions, analyse complex issues, and develop research and writing capabilities that are transferable to various academic and professional contexts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

analyse the intricate political dynamics within the Middle East, incorporating historical contexts and contemporary developments. This entails applying the acquired knowledge to critically evaluate various development approaches in the region, assessing their effectiveness and impact: 1,2
Evaluate the multifaceted impact of political conflicts on economic, social, and sustainable development in the Middle East, demonstrating an interdisciplinary understanding of the region¿s complexities. This includes an analysis of how political unrest influences various aspects of development and societal well-being: 1,2
Examine geopolitical factors, including territorial disputes, within the Middle East, identifying their influence on regional politics, conflicts, and development strategies. This involves a detailed assessment of how these factors shape the political and developmental landscape of the region: 1,2
Explain the intersection of environmental challenges and political instability in the Middle East, recognising their implications for global affairs. This includes demonstrating interdisciplinary knowledge of how regional environmental issues intertwine with political dynamics and impact the wider global context: 1,2
Assess the challenges and progress in the democratic transition processes within the Middle East, integrating interdisciplinary insights for a holistic understanding of the region's dynamics. This involves a critical evaluation of the various factors influencing democratic changes and their broader impact on the Middle Eastern socio-political landscape: 1,2

Study hours

In this module, there will be a total of 11 lectures and seminars organised in weekly 2-hour sessions. The format for each session will involve a one-hour lecture followed by a one-hour seminar. Students are expected to engage in independent study by reading the mandatory and recommended books and journal articles. For each topic covered in the module, students should allocate approximately 10 hours to reading around the subject.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment