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Middle Eastern Politics


Course Description

Traditional and modern Middle Eastern political systems, cultures, and values. The impact of religion, natural resources, and external influences.


Athena Title

Middle Eastern Politics


Prerequisite

INTL 3200 or INTL 3200E or INTL 3200H or INTL 3300 or INTL 3300E or INTL 3300H


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Student Learning Outcomes

  • By the end of the course students will be able to synthesize details about the concepts in international affairs (e.g., the international system, actors in the international system, the principles of sovereignty and anarchy).
  • By the end of the course students will be able to evaluate how the characteristics of various political systems lead to different political outcomes.
  • By the end of the course students will be able to evaluate the major theoretical approaches and models used within international relations and comparative politics.
  • By the end of the course students will be able to evaluate theoretical foundations in the study of international relations and comparative politics when applying them to attempt to explain the causes and effects of historical and contemporary global events.
  • By the end of the course students will be able to collect and analyze original quality data relative to the causes and effects of historical and contemporary global events.
  • By the end of the course students will be able to create original, well-informed arguments about the causes and effects of historical and contemporary global events that is theoretically informed and includes quality data.
  • By the end of the course students will be able to write in a clear structured manner that provides an original theoretically informed argument presented to an intended audience that is supported with data and uses appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and syntax.
  • By the end of the course students will be able to create an original social science research project.

Topical Outline

  • Pre-colonial politics
  • Colonialism and its legacy
  • Politics of the Middle East since independence
  • The impact of religion on the politics of the Middle East
  • Democratization prospects in the Middle East.

Syllabus