Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM082: International Relations of the Middle East

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

Module Aims

This module seeks to analyse what it is about the political dynamics of the MENA region which pulls the region in conflicting directions, and to consider what options exist for creating more favourable conditions in the future. This module will acquaint you with the dynamics and main trends and events in the international politics of the Middle East; and help you to explore whether and how particular International Relations approaches may be applied to the Middle East. You will be guided in the range of views held by different authors and will be encouraged to both engage critically with them and develop your own position

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 in-depth knowledge of key issues in the International politics of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA);
2. demonstrate a detailed and critical understanding of the actors, dynamics and trends in the regional politics;
3. demonstrate familiarity with, and critical application of, the main analytical frameworks that relate to the international relations of the MENA
Discipline-Specific Skills4. find, use and analyse secondary and primary data relevant to specific issue areas;
5. to place contemporary issues in larger contexts;
6. deploy critical arguments in analysing issues and evaluating sources
Personal and Key Skills7. work independently and in groups including the presentation of material for group discussion;
8. demonstrate strong analytical skills; digest, select and organise material; and
9. demonstrate excellent writing skills including the ability to produce well organised and coherent essays to a deadline; practice in articulating and defending positions on the seminar topics

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

  • Fawcett, L. (ed.) (2013) International Relations of the Middle East (3rd ed.) (Oxford University Press).
  • Hinnebusch, R. (2015) The International Politics of the Middle East (2nd ed.) (Manchester University Press).
  • Halliday, F. (2005) The Middle East in International Relations (Cambridge University Press).
  • Hinnebusch, R. and A. Ehteshami (eds.) (2014) The Foreign Policies of Middle East States (2nd ed.) (Lynne Rienner).
  • Korany, B. and A.E.H. Dessouki (eds.) (2008) The Foreign Policies of Arab States: The Challenge of Globalization (3rd ed.) (AUC Press).
  • Adler, E., F. Bicchi, B. Crawford and R.A. del Sarto (eds.) The Convergence of Civilizations: Constructing a Mediterranean Region (University of Toronto Press).
  • Barnett, M.N. (1998) Dialogues in Arab Politics: Negotiations in Regional Order (Columbia University Press).
  • Braveboy-Wagner, J.A. (ed.) (2003) The Foreign Policies of the Global South. Rethinking Conceptual Frameworks (Lynne Rienner).
  • Cleveland, W. (2004) A History of the Contemporary Middle East (Westview).
  • Ferabolli, S. (2014) Arab Regionalism: A Post-Structural Perspective (Routledge).
  • Fürtig, H. (ed.) (2014) Regional Powers in the Middle East: New Constellations after the Arab Revolts (Palgrave Macmillan).
  • Hinnebusch, R. (2003) The International Relations of the Middle East (Manchester University Press).
  • Ismael, T.Y. and G.E. Perry (eds.) (2014) The International Relations of the Contemporary Middle East. Subordination and After (Routledge).
  • Mason, R. (ed.) (2014) The International Politics of the Arab Spring: Popular Unrest and Foreign Policy (Palgrave Macmillan).
  • Milton-Edwards, B. (2006) Contemporary Politics in the Middle East (Polity Press).
  • Nonneman, G. (ed.) (2005) Analyzing Middle East Foreign Policies and the Relationship with Europe (Routledge).
  • Salloukh, B. and R. Brynen (eds.) (2004) Persistent Permeability? Regionalism, Localism and Globalization in the Middle East (Ashgate, 2004).
  • Telhami, S. and Barnett, M.N. (eds.) (2002) Identity and Foreign Policy in the Middle East (Cornell University Press).
  • Zoubir, Y.H. and H. Amirah (eds.) (2008) North Africa: Politics, Region, and the Limits of Transformation (Routledge)
  • Zoubir, Y.H. and G. White (eds.) (2015) North African Politics: Change and Continuity (Routledge).