Postgraduate Module Descriptor

ARAM198: Political Economy of the Gulf

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

The main objective of the module is to provide you with specialised knowledge and critical understanding of the main themes and dynamics in the political economy of the Gulf, at the domestic, regional and global levels. This module aims particularly at exploring how politics and economy inform each other, at developing an understanding of processes of economic change in the Gulf monarchies and Iran, and of the way these processes have shaped the existing political realities of the broader Middle East. The module will thus equip you to analyse and make informed and critical evaluation of the contemporary politics and economy of the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Identify and critically assess the main issues in the political economy of the Gulf, including the politics of economic development; the main economic factors in domestic and regional politics; the political economy of oil; and the changing role of the Gulf in the global economy.
2. Locate, appraise and use main sources of information and data relating to the Gulf countries
3. Use different analytical approaches and concepts towards the study of the Gulf's political economies and social systems, and to make informed judgements regarding the similarities and contrasts of different Gulf polities.
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Analyse and assess academic texts and prevailing notions critically;
5. Connect political and economic factors and dynamics in their domestic-international linkages;
6. Draw from broader concepts in political economy and to compare the Gulf with other regions of the world;
7. Embrace a multi-disciplinary approach in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
Personal and Key Skills8. Demonstrate skills of reasoned and supported argumentation in writing and in oral presentation;
9. Demonstrate skills of independent research and teamwork;
10. Demonstrate skills of finding, analysing and synthesising information from a range of source