Module ARA3198 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
ARA3198: European and US Democracy Assistance in the Middle East and North Africa
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The module aims to provide you with an understanding of the subject of European and US democracy promotion in the Middle East and North Africa. The module makes use of various books, practitioner reports and policy papers on European and US democracy support, all of which are both theoretical and empirical in nature. You will gain the skills to discuss the topic both in a country specific and a theoretical setting. A final aim is to provide you with a level of knowledge that allows you to discuss the topic of European and US democracy assistance and the state of democracy, not only in the selected cases, but across the Middle East and North Africa.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of key issues in the debate on European and US democracy promotion, including international relations and development studies; 2. demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the state of democracy in the Middle East, not only at the regional level, but also in individual cases. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. find, use and analyze secondary and primary data relevant to specific issue areas, particularly Middle Eastern current affairs; 4. place issues discussed in a wider context and deploy critical arguments relevant to the field of Middle East politics and international relations. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 5. demonstrate critical and analytical skills through readings, class/group discussions and presentations; 6. exhibit your ability to undertake political analysis at an advanced level. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
The module will consist of 11 sessions which will emphasize different aspects of democracy support, the debates in international relations, the different types of actors, and the challenges and opportunities facing these. Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- The history of democracy promotion
- Debates in international relations
- Who supports democracy? Case study on party assistance
- Domestic politics challenging democracy support: the Daily Mail effect
- Local politics: populism and corruption
- Local reception of democracy support: who do you think you are?
- Illiberal alternatives and appeal
- Youths: disaffection, perceptions and priorities
- How to overcome the challenges of democracy support
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 Activities | 22 | 11 x 2hr sessions consisting of a mix of mini-lectures, workshops and class/group discussion with presentations organized around a specific theme for each session |
| Guided Independent Study | 75 | Reading for assignments and preparing for class /group discussion |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Synopsis preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 35 | Essay preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 8 | Presentation preparation |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
Online library
