Postgraduate Module Descriptor


ARAM213: Approaches to Middle East and Islamic Studies: States, Societies and Identities

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of the course is to expose you to a wide variety of approaches to the study of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. The purpose of covering a variety of topics is to give students a broad understanding of the political issues so that they have basic knowledge of other issues outside of their own specific interests. The multiple faculty that are involved in the team-teaching of this class also introduces students to most members of the staff within IAIS belonging to the ‘social science disciple’—i.e. modern history, sociology, and political science.  Such exposure will help students select which faculty members might be potential MA dissertation supervisors.  

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. demonstrate knowledge of key issues in the debates on states, societies and identities in the Middle East and Islamic world;
2. undertake independent research on various social science issues in the region.
Discipline-Specific Skills3. find, use and analyze secondary and primary data relevant to specific issue areas;
4. place issues discussed in a wider context and deploy critical arguments.
Personal and Key Skills5. apply critical and analytical skills;
6. ability to undertake modern historical and political analysis.