Module SGIA3341: THE POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST'S OIL MONARCHIES

Department: Government and International Affairs

SGIA3341: THE POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST'S OIL MONARCHIES

Prerequisites

• Dynamics of Change in International Relations (POLI2181) OR Democratic Government (POLI2041) OR Islam, State and Government (POLI2221) OR The Israel-Palestine Question (MEIS2061) OR The History of the Middle East in the 20th Century (MEIS2161).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The aim of the module is to provide an empirical and theoretical overview of the history, politics, and development of the states of the Arabian Gulf. Students will complete the course having gained an insight into an often misread region that is not only central to understanding the international oil industry, but is also home to most of the world’s remaining traditional monarchies, and has now emerged as a key player in the War on Terror.

Content

• This module will provide a historical background of the state formation of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. A particular emphasis will be placed on Britain's 'informal' style of empire in the region prior to 1971.
• It will assess the recent development of these states, with particular reference to dependency theory, modernisation, and rentierism. It will be shown how in many cases these states remain heavily dependent on western oil companies and arms manufacturers, but yet are beginning to pursue strategies aimed at reducing this dependency. It will be shown how modernisation theory is not entirely applicable to these states, as after many decades following their formation, traditional monarchy has been able to survive. The survival mechanisms employed by these monarchs will be considered in a series of country-specific case studies. The enormous impact of economic rent in the form of oil wealth will be discussed, especially with regard to the political and economic structures that now exist in these states.
• The module will consider:-
• a range of trends and issues including labour nationalisation, expatriate workers, demographic problems, and the diversification of the economy. A particular emphasis will be placed on those Gulf states with dwindling hydrocarbon reserves and their need to create and foster free zones, real estate markets, tourism sectors, and other means of attracting foreign investment;
• the varied attempts at political reform in the Gulf, including parliamentary politics in Kuwait, democratic elections in Bahrain, and the expansion of the Federal Council in the United Arab Emirates;
• the enormous impact of the forces of globalisation on society, economy, and identity in the Gulf.
• This module will assess the role of the Gulf in the War on Terror and the region’s precarious position in the international system

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to understand the problematic nature of research in the Arabian Gulf.
• Students will be able to distinguish patterns of development and appreciate the heterogeneous nature of politics and development in these nascent states

• Students will be able to synthesise and evaluate primary and secondary sources. In particular students will learn to source information from a range of books, journal articles, international newspaper articles, and English-language Gulf newspaper articles

• Students will be able to communicate effectively in writing. Students will be able to work independently, demonstrating self-organisation and time management.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The teaching and assessment methods of the module are intended to provide the framework for the required synthesis of theories across a long historical period (lectures) and to promote the required evaluative skills
• The structured report (formative) will provide a review of the first half of the module and will formally identify the skills and issues required for the summative assessment.
• The summative assessment will test skills of synthesis and evaluation with reference to material drawn from all or most of the module.
• Lectures are retained in order to provide a framework for the long chronological range of the module.
• It will be made clear that in other aspects of the module student autonomy is expected.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

A structured report (1500 words) to be submitted at the end of the Michaelmas Term

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University