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Program Type: 
Thesis
Non Thesis
Course Code: 
POLS 557
Course Type: 
Elective
P: 
3
Lab: 
0
Credits: 
3
ECTS: 
8
Course Language: 
English
Course Coordinator: 
Course Objectives: 

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive analysis to the major components of the Middle East history.

Course Content: 

This course addresses the historical issues that had great impact in Middle East history. Relating the landmark issues, i.e., the rise and expansion of Islam, Crusades, to the era of transformation, the birth of nationalisms, the interwar era, post colonial period and independent Middle East. In this class we will concentrate on major wars and revolutions that transformed the region fundamentally.

Teaching Methods: 
1: Lecture, 2: Discussion based lecture, 3: Case study, 4: Small group work, 5: Seminar, 6: Group work, 7: Research paper, 8: Oral presentation/exam, 9: Survey, 10: Panel, 11: Guest speaker, 12: Activities within a Student Body or Research Project.
Assessment Methods: 
A: Exam, B: Homework, C: Oral exam or presentation, D: Discussion.

Vertical Tabs

Course Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes Program Learning Outcomes Teaching Methods Assessment Methods
Students will name the landmark developments that affected the modern Middle East history 4, 5, 8, 9 1, 2, 3 A
Student will identify how the significant historical developments took place and how did they transformed the Middle East politics and society 4, 5, 8, 9 1, 2, 3 A
Students will be able to compare and contrasts the how the revolutions and wars in various states in the region shaped the Middle East states and societies. 4, 8, 10, 13 1, 2, 3 A, D
Students will be able to identify historical relevance of the main issues of the current political debates 10, 11, 12, 13 1, 2, 3 A, D
Students should be able to compare main historical problems and their political relevance 4, 8, 10 1, 2, 3 A, D
Students shall be able to illustrate the major issues, political systems, ideas, and political actors and draw conclusion from the regional historical experiences 2, 3, 4, 5 1, 2, 3 A, D

Course Flow

COURSE CONTENT
Week Topics Study Materials
1 Meeting and introduction of the course.  
2 The birth and early period of Islam Armstrong, 3-115.
3 The Imperial Islam Armstrong, 3-115.
4 The Beginnings of the Era of Transformation Cleveland and Bunton, 1-170.
5 The Interwar Era and the Independent Middle East Cleveland and Bunton, 171-370.
6 The Middle East from the 1970s to the 2000 Cleveland and Bunton, 373-560.
7 A Political History of the Middle East Kamrava, 7-210.
8 Intra-State Relations in the Middle East Kamrava, 213-370,
9 Arab Nationalism Choueiri, 1-125.
10 Nationalism Religion and Civil Society Choueiri, 125-219.
11 Orientalist approaches to the Middle East Said, 1-148.
12 Orientalist approaches to the Middle East Said, 149-220.
13 Orientalist approaches to the Middle East Said, 220-320,
14 Project presentations  
15 Semester review  

Recommended Sources

RECOMMENDED SOURCES
Textbook Karen Armstrong, Islam: A Short History, A Modern Library Chronicles Book: 2002

William L. Cleveland and Martin Bunton, A History of the Modern Middle East, Westview Press: 2009

Mehran Kamrava, the Modern Middle East: A Political History since the First World War, University of California Press: 2005

Youssef M. Choueiri, Arab Nationalism a History, Blackwell Publisher: 2000

Edward W. Said, Orientalism, Vintage Books, 1978

Additional Resources David Fromkin, A Peace To End All Peace, An Owl Book, New York, 1989

Material Sharing

MATERIAL SHARING
Documents  
Assignments Presentation on one of the issues covered in the course content.
Exams Research projects

Assessment

ASSESSMENT
IN-TERM STUDIES NUMBER PERCENTAGE
Research Project 1 40
Participation, Presentation 1 40
Book review 1 20
Total   100
CONTRIBUTION OF FINAL EXAMINATION TO OVERALL GRADE   0
CONTRIBUTION OF IN-TERM STUDIES TO OVERALL GRADE   100
Total   100

Course’s Contribution to Program

COURSE'S CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM
No Program Learning Outcomes Contribution
1 2 3 4 5  
1 To demonstrate the ability to specialize and expand knowledge in the fields of political science, international relations, comparative politics, Turkish politics and foreign policy.     X      
2 The ability to comprehend the interdisciplinary quality of the political science and international relations discipline.       X    
3 A command of basic research models and approaches of political science and international relations discipline and the ability to apply them in academic research and project design.       X    
4 Having the ability to assess and interpret the different political and societal systems in the Middle East with an interdisciplinary approach.         X  
5 Having a command of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods and abiding by the highest levels of academic and research ethics.         X  
6 The ability to present and debate an issue that requires specialization in the field of political science and international relations. The ability to discuss this issue within an intellectual framework, and the ability to express oneself in a professional and academic manner.       X    
7 The ability to analyze and critically evaluate basic research models, approaches and intellectual traditions in the field of political science, international relations.       X    
8 The ability to utilize academic writing and presentation skills to projects, dissertations and articles.         X  
9 Having advanced reading, writing, comprehension and speaking skills in the English language.         X  
10 Having the ability to apply knowledge of political science and international relations discipline to information technologies and traditional tools so as to produce sound solutions to problems.       X    
11 Possessing experience and social skills necessary for employment in the public and private sectors and/or being admitted to a competitive Ph.D. program.       X    
12 Having empathy towards diverse and differing communities, which will facilitate conducing teamwork at local as well as global platforms.       X    
13 Having competency of comprehending and interpreting local and global issues through information exchange with international academics and students.       X    

ECTS

ECTS ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD BY THE COURSE DESCRIPTION
Activities Quantity Duration
(Hour)
Total
Workload
(Hour)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 7 112
Mid-terms 1 8 8
Homework 1 8 8
Final examination 1 10 10
Total Work Load     186
Total Work Load / 25 (h)     7,44
ECTS Credit of the Course     7