Course ID: | INTL 8315. 3 hours. |
Course Title: | Comparative Politics of the Middle East |
Course Description: | Evaluates critically social science approaches to the study of
the Middle East. Examines the assumptions from which mainstream
study of the Middle East starts. Course covers basic contextual
information as well as engaging major theoretical debates and
specialized topics. |
Oasis Title: | COMP POL MIDDL EAST |
Prerequisite: | INTL 6300 or permission of department |
Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
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Course Objectives: | After taking this course, students will be familiar with the
various regime types, economic systems, and major conflicts in
the region. Students will be expected to develop an in-depth
appreciation of at least one Middle Eastern country as well as a
broad familiarity with the regional context. Students will have
engaged the major social science debates regarding the region
and be familiar with different theoretical approaches used in
comparative politics. |
Topical Outline: | 1. Overview of regime types, economic systems and major conflicts
2. Area studies vs. social science
3. Orientalism
4. Political culture approaches to studying the Middle East
5. States and State building
6. Regime change and stability
7. Islam and Civil Society
8. Mass behavior and revolutions |