Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA2162: Political Economy of Development in the Middle East

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 academic year.

Module Aims

This module will introduce you to the main themes and dynamics in the political economy of the Middle East, at the domestic, regional and global levels. The purpose is to develop an understanding of processes of development in the Middle East and of the way these processes have shaped the existing economic, social and political realities of the region. In addition, this module will enhance your abilities to critically analyse and engage with scholarly material as well as your communication skills through class participation and group presentations. Finally, on completion of this module, you will be able to more deeply understand media reports and news on issues of political economy in the Middle East. 

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 an awareness and understanding of some of the politics of economic development;
2. effectively explain the economic factors in domestic and regional politics;
3. cogently discuss the domestic and international political economy of oil and gas;
4. describe the main factors affecting the political economy of regional integration;
Discipline-Specific Skills5. connect political and economic factors and dynamics in their domestic-international linkages;
6. draw from broader concepts in political economy of development;
Personal and Key Skills7. demonstrate skills of reasoned and supported argumentation in writing and in oral presentation;
8. demonstrate skills of independent research and teamwork; and
9. demonstrate skills of finding, analysing and synthesising information from a range of sources.