Module ARA1010 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
ARA1010: Politics and Economy of the Contemporary Middle East
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The module aims to provide you with a general introductory survey of the politics and political economy of the Middle East, covering topics such as the Arab-Israeli conflict, the legacy of colonialism, the political economy of oil, the resilience of authoritarianism, the issue of political Islam and popular mobilization. It will provide you with an understanding of the key themes and issues pertinent to the academic study of the Middle-East region, and will seek to expand your ability to engage critically and analytically with issues facing the Middle- East region in the 21st century by situating them in historical and theoretical context, forming the basis for your studies in subsequent years.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate an understanding of the major political forces and trends, and of the main characteristics of the political economy, of the contemporary Middle Eastern region and of the dynamics affecting major states within it; 2. place contemporary political events in social and historical contexts; |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. relate political issues and trends to economic, societal, and cultural dynamics, and to comprehend the interplay between these at the domestic, regional and international levels; 4. demonstrate analytical and critical thinking related to socio-political and socio-economic phenomena at local and international level; |
| Personal and Key Skills | 5. synthesize information from various sources into a coherent written argument; 6. demonstrate good oral and written communication skills; and 7. demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar discussion | Throughout every seminar | 1-4; 6 | Direct feedback in seminar |
| Seminar group presentation | 10 minutes each | 1-4; 6-7 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Written feedback |
| Essay 2 | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-6 | Written 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay 2 | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
