Module SGIA3491: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Department: Government and International Affairs

SGIA3491: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Prerequisites

• SGIA2311 Middle East in the International System

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• This module aims to familiarise students with key concepts and theories of international relations while focusing on issues of security, power, and identity politics in an (un)exceptional Middle East. By the end of the module, students should have gained an insight into how these theoretical approaches have been, or could be, applied to the study of Middle East international relations. Furthermore, the module enables students to critically evaluate leading scholarship in the field of Middle East international relations and security.

Content

• This module offers an in-depth theoretical and empirical understanding of the international relations of the Middle East. The module situates the region in analytical, conceptual and theoretical debates of International Relations. On the one hand, the module enables students to apply major IR theoretical approaches — such as Realism, Constructivism, and Foreign Policy Analysis — to the study of the region. On the other hand, the module enables students to reflect on how regional particularities contribute to wider IR theoretical debates. Furthermore, the module provides students with empirical knowledge of the main historical events, processes and actors that have shaped and continue to shape the international dynamics of the region. The module examines this two-way dialogue between IR theory and the Middle East through several themes, such as war, peace, alliances, threat perception, great power interventions, and the determinants of foreign policies.

Learning Outcomes

• Through the module, students are expected to acquire subject-specific knowledge of:
• the major theoretical approaches to the study of international relations and security;
• the major features and particularities of Middle East international relations;
• the conflictual and cooperative dynamics in Middle East international relations
• the multifaceted nature of security issues in the region;
• actors and processes situated at multiple levels of analysis that are shaping international relationships in the region.

• Through the module, students are expected to develop the following subject-specific skills:
• the ability to apply and critique relevant theoretical frameworks and approaches to international relations and security;
• the ability to recognise, analyse and account for characteristics of regional international relations and security;
• the ability to interpret and analyse empirical data at an advanced level when appropriate, to identify major events and trends;
• the ability to evaluate competing theoretical approaches in explaining particular regional events.

• Through the module, students are expected to develop the following key skills:
• independent learning within a defined framework of study; • independent thought in analysing and critiquing existing scholarship on the subject area and in evaluating its contribution;
• the ability to work to a deadline and complete written work within word limits.
• advanced essay-writing skills;
• the ability to seek out and use relevant data sources, including electronic bibliographic sources.

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 IR theoretical approaches and their application to the Middle East while promoting the required subject-specific and key skills.
• The module is taught on the basis of 13 one-hour lectures and 12 one-hour seminars to cover the wide range of theoretical and empirical issues related to international relations and security in the Middle East.
• The weekly lecture introduces students to the IR theoretical approach and their application to relevant regional themes and events. The lecture provides the framework and the overarching narrative for the weekly topic and serves as a guide for students’ readings and preparation towards the seminars.
• In the seminars, students have the opportunity to discuss and reflect upon some of the issues raised in the lectures at greater details.
• Students will be asked to make short presentations, whereby they choose a recent event from the international relations of the Middle East and reflect upon its relevance and significance to IR theoretical approaches discussed in the module. This method is aimed at helping students develop their critical analysis and independent thinking beyond the readings. These presentations will be followed by structured group discussions, which will allow students to discuss and explore particular issues in the readings of the week and guide them towards further reflection and research.
• Students are required to submit two summative essays. The first is a review essay of 2000 words, where students are expected to present a book review pertaining to the theme of the module. Students will be provided with a special list of books. This review essay enables the student to develop critical thinking while enhancing their understanding of the existing debates within the relevant scholarship. The second assessment is a 3,000-word essay to be submitted at the end of the module. This essay enables them to demonstrate achievement that they have acquired sufficient subject knowledge and have achieved the subject skills as well as key skills.
• Students are required to submit a formative essay at the end of the tenth week. This enables them to practice their essay-writing skills, to assess their own progress, and to receive feedback on whether they are achieving at the appropriate level, whether they are sufficiently informed, and they are expressing themselves appropriately.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be required to submit an outline of their essay (1,000 words), as formative by the end of the tenth week of the 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