Postgraduate Module Descriptor

ARAM246: Critical Readings in Kurdish Studies

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

Module Aims

The primary aim of this module is to acquaint you with core texts of Kurdish studies and to help you read them critically, developing research skills that allow you to investigate topics and readings that may be of use in constructing a viable dissertation and to develop key disciplinary skills that may contribute to the wider MA programme. This module may not be used for direct research on individual MA dissertation topics; however, it may be used to explore topics of wider interest for a dissertation. For example, you may wish to develop your knowledge of specific subjects, which are not fully explored elsewhere in the curriculum, or to read specific texts (such as literary texts) with critical discussion.

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 advanced knowledge of core texts in Kurdish studies and of the development of this field of study;
2. demonstrate an advanced and critical knowledge of the texts you have chosen to study.
Discipline-Specific Skills3. demonstrate analytically how to contextualize the readings, theories and approaches within the wider field of Middle East and Islamic Studies;
4. undertake research effectively, construct a bibliography and ground one's research within the field of Kurdish Studies.
Personal and Key Skills5. demonstrate understanding and analysis of research undertaken, in oral and written forms;
6. demonstrate the absorption, critical analysis of readings and approaches undertaken.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

It is anticipated that the course will cover some of the themes below:

 

  • Definitions: How can we define ‘Kurdish Studies’ and ((given the Kurds’ unique position as a stateless nation) what is its place in the curriculum?
  • The Orientalist origins of ‘Kurdology’ and the arrival of Kurdish scholars
  • The recent expansion of the field across disciplines
  • Reading Kurdish texts (either written from a Kurdish perspective or in Kurdish language) in the field of: literature, history, anthropology, cultural studies, political science, gender studies, religious studies.
  • Discussion of these texts within their own context and within academic contexts

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
111390

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities111 hour initial group meeting; (4 x 1 hour) Engagement and discussion of readings, at times agreed directly with the tutor; (3 x 2 hour) meeting with course convenor and group in weeks 4, 8 and 11 of term; You will make a presentation to this group
Guided Independent Study81Investigation of sources and research
Guided Independent Study32Preparing and presenting the formative assessment and writing the final summative paper
Guided Independent Study26Utilising major web-based resources

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Kurdish Studies Network website https://kurdishstudiesnetwork.net/

 

Other Learning Resources

Relevant Journals include: Kurdish Studies, European Journal of Turkish Studies, British Journal of Middle East Studies, International Journal of Middle East Studies