Module POLM082 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM082: International Relations of the Middle East
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The main aims of the module are: to introduce students to the diversity and depth of an International Relations (IR) analysis of MENA politics; to discuss the application to this region of general IR theories, theories of regionalism and foreign policy analysis; to develop critical analysis of sources, paradigms, writers and policies; and to deepen students’ knowledge of key events, trends and actors in the region.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. 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 Skills | 4. find, use and analyse secondary and primary data relevant to specific issue areas; 5. place contemporary issues in larger contexts; 6. deploy critical arguments in analysing issues and evaluating sources |
Personal and Key Skills | 7. 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 |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Studying the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from an international relations perspective
- The MENA regional system
- Application of IR theories to the MENA
- Regionalism in the MENA
- Foreign policy analysis
- The Gulf sub-region
- The Levant sub-region & Israel-Palestine conflict
- The Maghreb sub-region
- External actors (1): the US and China
- External actors (2): the EU and Russia
- The impact of the 2011 uprisings
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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22 | 278 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour seminars |
Guided independent study | 100 | Reading for seminars |
Guided independent study | 178 | Completion of course work |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).