Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA3136: The History and Political Development of Iraq

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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.

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 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 Skills7. 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 Skills12. 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.

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 assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
One group presentation15 minutes1-16Direct feedback in seminar
Class discussionWeekly1-10; 14Direct 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.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
50500

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay502,000 words1-12; 14; 16Written feedback
Examination502 hours1-10; 12; 14Written 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 assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
EssayEssay (2,000 words)1-12; 14; 16August/September reassessment period
ExaminationExamination (2 hours)1-10; 12; 14August/September reassessment period