Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA2176: Spaces of Domination and Resistance in the Middle-East

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

Module Aims

In this module, you will gain an in-depth and nuanced understanding of the dynamics of space and place making in the Middle-East and their relation to power. You will become versed in a variety of theories from human and critical geography, anthropology, and politics. You will also engage deeply with the discussion of the spatial dynamics of power in the context of the Middle East and North Africa. In so doing you will explore a broad range of themes including colonialism and nationalism, development and neoliberalism, migrations and mobility, public and private spaces, citiscapes, environment, and nature. You will gain a familiarity with works that are important in both Middle Eastern Studies and geography and social sciences. Through active learning, you will also develop skills that are widely applicable beyond these disciplines, namely critical thinking and analysis, argumentation, presenting skills, and academic writing. 

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 understanding of the dynamics of space making in their relation to practices of domination and resistance
2. Identify and assess the political, economic, environmental dynamics of the construction and use of space in the Middle East and North Africa
3. Evaluate different theoretical and methodological approaches developed in the study of space and power in the Middle East
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Analyse and assess academic texts critically
5. Analyse, distinguish a range of sources and methods including academic writing, maps and images, works of art, fictions and memoirs.
6. Apply a multi-disciplinary approach in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of space and power.
Personal and Key Skills7. Assess and review a wide range of literature and material
8. Engage in independent study and group work
9. Plan and produce work to a deadline

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Asdar Ali, K. & Rieker, M. (ed.) (2009) Comparing cities : the Middle East and South Asia.Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press.

Anderson, E. (2000). The middle East: geography and geopolitics. London ; New York : Routledge.

Chatt, D. (2010) Displacement and Dispossession in the Modern Middle East. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Davis, D. K. & Burke, E. (eds.) (2011) Environmental imaginaries of the Middle East and North Africa. Athens : Ohio University Press.

Elsheshtawy, Y. (ed.) (2004). Planning Middle Eastern Cities: an urban kaleidoscope in a globalizing world. London ; New York : Routledge.

Fucarro, N. (ed.) (2016) Violence and the city in the modern Middle East.Stanford, California : Stanford University Press.

Hanieh, A. (2018) Money, markets, andmonarchies: theGulfCooperationCouncilandthepoliticaleconomyofthecontemporarymiddleeast. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.

Held, C. C. & Cummings, J. T. (2013) Middle East Patterns: Places, People, and Politics. Westview Press.

Mikhail, A. (ed.) (2013) Water on sand: environmental histories of the Middle East and North Africa.Oxford : Oxford University Press

Mitchell, T. (2011). Carbon Democracy: political power in the age of oil. London, New York: Verso.

Singerman, D. & Amar, P. (ed) (2006). Cairo Cosmopolitan: Politics, Culture, and Urban Space in the New Globalized Middle East. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press.

Stetter, S. (ed.) (2012) The Middle East and globalization: encounters and horizons. New York, NY : Palgrave Macmillan

Stewart, Dona J. (2012) The Middle East today political, geographical and cultural perspectives 

London : Routledge. 

Veracini, L. (2006) Israel and settler society. London ; Ann Arbor, MI : Pluto Press.