IREb2012 Politics and Society in the Middle East

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Eva Taterová, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer), Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Martin Chovančík, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 12:00–13:40 U33
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! IRE212 Politics in the Middle East && !NOW( IRE212 Politics in the Middle East )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 35 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 21/35, only registered: 1/35
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The Middle East went through a very dynamic process of political and socio-economic development in last few decades. Political instability, frequent military conflicts, and a rapid economic growth combined with a substantial religious and ethnic diversity made this region a chessboard of the great powers. This course aims to explain the crucial historical milestones in a global perspective as well as to introduce the most important local issues that have had a significant impact in 20th and 21st century world politics. The concrete case studies of both the states and the non-state actors shall be used to demonstrate the various phenomena that have formed the whole region such as nationalism, religious radicalism, lack of democracy, totalitarian regimes etc.
Learning outcomes
This course aims to explain the crucial historical milestones in a global perspective as well as to introduce the most important local issues that have had a significant impact in 20th and 21st century world politics. The concrete case studies of both the states and the non-state actors shall be used to demonstrate the various phenomena that have formed the whole region such as nationalism, religious radicalism, lack of democracy, totalitarian regimes etc.
Syllabus
  • September 16: Introduction: scope of the course, organization of the course, and course requirements
  • September 23:: Middle East: the basic terminology, geography, demography
  • September 30: History of Middle East before 1945
  • October 7: Arab-Israeli Conflict I
  • October 14: Arab-Israeli conflict II
  • October 21: Iran: From Western Ally to Islamic Republic
  • October 28: National holiday - no class
  • November 4: Midterm essay
  • November 11: Political Development of Lebanon
  • November 18: Post-Cold War Conflicts in the Middle East
  • November 25: War in Syria
  • December 2: Current events in the Middle East
  • December 9: Final exam
Literature
  • Yousef, M. and Brackin, D., Son of Hamas. A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices. SaltRiver: Carol Stream, 2010.
  • White, J.: Islamist mobilization in Turkey: A study in vernacular politics. Seattle [u.a.] University of Washington Press, 2002.
  • Morris, B. The Righteous Victims. A History of Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-2001. New York : Vintage Books, 2001
Teaching methods
Lectures, class discussion, midterm essay, final exam.
Assessment methods
Midterm essay, final exam.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2023/IREb2012