Postgraduate Module Descriptor

ARAM232: Theorising the Middle East

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

This module will be delivered in a series of filmed introductions to key theorists and their work, which will be accessed through a rich ELE site. These films will range from formal lectures, through interviews with experts from across disciplines at Exeter, to shorter interventions in which you and staff reflect on the value of particular theorists in their work.

You are expected to read at least two texts each week, one of which will be the work of theory and the other an example of the application of those theoretical ideas in a work of Middle East or Islamic Studies. These texts will form the basis of the weekly seminars in which theories, texts and their applications will be discussed.

Furthermore, the module will offer at least one ‘masterclass’ in which an invited speaker/visitor/fellow at the IAIS will lead a half- day workshop exploring the theoretical backdrop to their own work.

The module will also offer a planning session in which the use of theory in Masters dissertations will be explored.

In short, the module is designed to develop the advanced skills you will need to undertake an MA in Middle East Studies, especially to develop critical thinking at the highest level.

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. Critically analyze arguments by reading and discussing key texts in seminars; 2. Present concisely sophisticated arguments; 3. Explain difficult points to an audience also of non-specialists; 4. Identify key aspects of a philosophical and theoretical debate.
Discipline-Specific Skills	5. Analyze arguments; 6. Criticize texts and question ideas 7. Introduce discussions, 8. Write well-argued essays.
Personal and Key Skills	9. Construct and evaluate ideas, 10. Formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction, 11. Assess and criticize the views of others and to undertake an individual research project.

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
Practice mini-presentations	5 minutes	1-7, 9-10	Oral feedback
Small and large group discussions and analysis of texts	Weekly	1-7, 9-10	Oral feedback

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
100	0	0

...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
Group project using the Hive in which students will need to demonstrate the ability to discuss, evaluate and reflect upon the theoretical perspectives they study	15	15 minutes	1-11	Written and oral feedback
Essay	85	3,500 words	1-11	Written and oral feedback
	0
	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
Group project using the Hive in which students will need to demonstrate the ability to discuss, evaluate and reflect upon the theoretical perspectives they study	Individual project using the Hive in which students will need to demonstrate the ability to discuss, evaluate and reflect upon the theoretical perspectives they study	1-11	August/September re-assessment period
Essay	Essay (3,500 words)	1-11	August/September re-assessment period