Cold War, Hot War provides an empirical and historical overview of the Middle East region with an examination of relevant theoretical and conceptual issues.
The module begins with a critical historical account of the end of the Ottoman Empire and the construction of the modern Middle East. It then proceeds to use a number of key themes, such as, imperialism, authoritarianism, nationalism, pan-Arabism, and gender, to examine the driving political issues as well as the main fault line and schisms in the region. The second term of the module will focus primarily on two case studies that will build on the key themes discussed in the first term. The two case studies are the Syrian civil war and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through these case studies students will gain a wider appreciation of the key themes dynamics and interaction.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The module will be delivered through a three hour workshop. The block teaching will be used for a variety of teaching methods. Lectures will provide an outline of each topic and the workshop format will allow students to explore this topic in discussion with the teacher and fellow students. In addition audio visual material relevant to the issues discussed will be utilised. Students will be expected to spend at least 6-7 hours per week in independent study, in preparation of assignments and seminars.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | 3 hours workshop to include seminars and lectures and interactive study | 66 hours |
Guided independent study | Seminar preparation and assessments | 234 |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
Students will go through two assessment cycles. Each cycle will have a range of ungraded formative exercises that build towards the summative assessment at the end. This will provide regular and detailed feedback to students so that they can develop an awareness of their rate and level of progress and of their strengths and weaknesses. Thus, for the first teaching block, the focus of the seminar discussions and debates on the key regional themes will lead to the formative group presentations. The presentations (20%), as well as the class-based feedback would provide students with a solid basis for the first summative assessment: the 1500 word position paper (30%) based on a key theme. The second teaching block will focus in more depth on two case studies. The seminar discussions and critical analysis of sources would form the basis for the second summative assessment: the 2500 word essay (50%). The position paper, group presentation and essay (summative elements) assess students' understanding of the different components and parties in the region as well as the interaction between the international and internal forces and events in a complex and turbulent region. It would contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the Middle East beyond the headlines.
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
Display an insight into themes in the region and their impact on conflicts, peace and war developments in the Middle East. | Formatively: seminar discussions, group presentations; Summatively: report; |
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of two case studies in the Middle East, as well as familiarity with the existing literature and the main scholars and debates in the field. | Formatively: group presentations, seminar discussions; Summatively: report and essay; |
Engage in critical research concerning controversial debates on the politics and the history of the Middle East. | Formatively: Group presentation, seminar discussions; Summatively: report and essay; |
Show an ability to evidence both orally and in writing at a sophisticated understanding of the issues controversies in the region. | Formatively: seminar discussions; group presentations; Summatively: report and essay. |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Coursework | 1500 word position paper | 30 |
Coursework | Group presentation | 20 |
Coursework | 2500 word essay | 50 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
Dawisha, A. (2003) Arab Nationalism in the Twentieth Century: From Triumph to Despair. Princeton University Press.
Halliday, F. (2005) The Middle East in International Relations. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press.
Owen, R. (2013) State, Power and Policymaking in the Making of the Modern Middle East. (3rd edition). London: Routledge.
Golan, G. (1990) Soviet Policies in the Middle East: from World War Two to Gorbachev. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lewis, B. (1995) The Middle East: A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years. New York: Scribner.
Yapp, M. (1999) The Near East Since the First World War. (2nd edition). London: Longman.
Sayigh, Y. and Shlaim, A. (Eds) (1997) The Cold War and the Middle East. Oxford: Clarendon.