Postgraduate Module Descriptor

ARAM231: Politics and Reform in the Gulf

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

Module Aims

The module aims to provide an understanding of political dynamics in the Gulf states in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. The core focus of the module is the debate over whether authoritarianism is likely to persist in the region, or whether recent political developments in the region bear witness of the beginning of a so-called ‘Gulf spring.’ Moreover this module is designated to provide you with a better and nuanced understanding of the individual regimes in contemporary Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf in comparative perspective. A further aim of the course is to develop your analytical thinking skills as independent researchers and to develop intellectual ability to place issues discussed in a wider context, beyond common knowledge immediately available in the media.

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 Skills	1. Locate, appraise and use the main sources of information and data relating to the politics of the states of the Arabian Peninsula and Iran; 2. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the main issues in the politics of the Gulf monarchies, Yemen and Iran; 3. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of different analytical approaches towards the study of the political systems of the region, and a capacity to make informed judgements regarding the similarities and contrasts of different Gulf polities;
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. Comparatively analyse political factors and dynamics to draw from broader concepts in comparative politics and democratization; 5. Draw on the wider area studies sources and literature relating to the Gulf region;
Personal and Key Skills	6. Demonstrate skills of reasoned and supported argumentation in writing and in oral presentation; 7. Demonstrate skills of independent research and teamwork; and 8. Demonstrate skills of finding, analysing and synthesising information from a range of sources. 9. Demonstrate skills of using and appraising knowledge, theory and methodology in a critical, evaluative, analytical and exploratory way.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Class discussion	Weekly, during lectures	1-5, 7-9	Direct feedback in seminar

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
50	0	50

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	50	2500 words	1-9	Written feedback
Group presentation 1	25	20 minutes + 2 page document summarising main points	1-9	Direct feedback in seminar and written feedback
Group presentation 2	25	20 minutes + 2 page document summarising main points	1-9	Direct feedback in seminar and written feedback
	0
	0
	0

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Essay	Essay (2,500 words)	1-9	August/September reassessment period
Group presentation 1	Individual presentation to module convener	1-9	August/September reassessment period
Group presentation 2	Individual presentation to module convener	1-9	August/September reassessment period

Re-assessment notes

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES – give details of how re-assessment will be calculated. This section can also be used to indicate where re-assessment is not available