Module ARA3136 for 2018/9
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
ARA3136: The History and Political Development of Iraq
This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.
Module Aims
The purpose of this module is to develop an understanding of the modern history and politics of one of the most critical state actors in Middle East politics. The module aims to generate among students an appreciation of how social, economic, political, and international forces have met in Iraq, culminating in the contemporary post-2003 situation. The module aims to make students familiar with the latest scholarship on Iraq, and engage with actual actors who will be invited to selected lectures.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate understanding of Iraq's historical development; 2. Assess and analyze Iraq's internal political and social structures; 3. Demonstrate comprehension of Iraq's position in the region; 4. Analyze and assess Iraq's economy; 5. Examine Saddam Hussein's emergence and rule, the Gulf wars, the international sanctions, and the 'regime change'; 6. Apply and discuss theories of state-building, nationalism, political economy, and democratic transition. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 7. Discuss and analyze historical material; 8. Critically evaluate the forces of state and nation formation; 9. Embrace a multi-disciplinary approach in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of a particular country; 10. Undertake a study from a multi-disciplinary perspective; 11. Employ visual aids in project work. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 12. Demonstrate skills in time management; 13. Demonstrate skills in using information technology; 14. Demonstrate oral and written communication skills; 15. Demonstrate abilities to work effectively in study groups with limited guidance; 16. Demonstrate skills to plan and produce course-work to a deadline. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Week 1: General Presentation of the Module, and Iraq before Iraq.
Week 2: The British Mandate: State Formation, Land and People of Modern Iraq.
Week 3: Monarchical Iraq, 1932-1958.
Week 4: Republican Iraq I: Qassim and the Arab Nationalists, 1958-68.
Week 5: Republican Iraq II: Ba‘th Party Rule, 1968-1990.
Week 6: Iraq’s Economy I (1970s- end 1980s): the Rise of a New State Bourgeoisie under Ba‘th Rule.
Week 7: The Gulf War and its Consequences: Sanctions, Intifada and KRG Formation.
Week 8: Saddam Hussein’s Strategy of Survival: Tribal/Religious Revival, Clannish Policies and Elites’ Management.
Week 9: Iraq’s Economy II (1990s): Sanctions and Economic Breakdown.
Week 10: Regime Change, Iraq post-2003.
Week 11: Conclusion: Iraq Dictatorship or Democracy?
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 22 | Lectures and seminars. |
| Guided Independent Study | 128 | Private study outside the classroom including wider reading, presentation preparation, essay preparation. |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| One group presentation | 15 minutes | 1-16 | Direct feedback in seminar |
| Class discussion | Weekly | 1-10; 14 | 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 | 50 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-12; 14; 16 | Written feedback |
| Examination | 50 | 2 hours | 1-10; 12; 14 | Written feedback |
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 (2,000 words) | 1-12; 14; 16 | August/September reassessment period |
| Examination | Examination (2 hours) | 1-10; 12; 14 | August/September reassessment period |
