Postgraduate Module Descriptor


ARAM235: Contemporary History and Politics of the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula

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

Overview

NQF Level7
Credits30 ECTS Value15
Term(s) and duration

This module will run during term 1 (11 weeks)

Academic staff

Dr Marc Valeri (Convenor)

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Available via distance learning

No

This module will critically explore the contemporary history and politics of the Gulf monarchies and the Arabian Peninsula. It is structured around main themes which provide an in-depth comparative perspective on the question of power and ideology in the region. The module covers the roots of statehood and capitalism in the Gulf; the impact of oil and ‘rentierism’; historical and current popular movements and rebellions; contemporary dynamics of capitalism and neoliberalism; Islam and politics; narratives and strategies of political legitimation. You will interrogate discourses that ‘exceptionalise’ the Gulf or ‘culturalise’ issues of history and politics therein. The module will also introduce analytical and theoretical tools that allow for critical examination of the debates that have dominated the study of the Arabian Peninsula; exploring new avenues of research that speak to the transformations currently underway in the region.

This module is suitable for specialist and non-specialist alike. No prior knowledge is required.

Module created

07/09/2020

Last revised

07/09/2020