International Relations
Bachelor	TR-NQF-HE: Level 6	QF-EHEA: First Cycle	EQF-LLL: Level 6

General course introduction information

Course Code:

UIS402

Course Name:

Polıtics and Society in the Middle East

Course Semester:

Spring

Course Credits:

Theoretical	Practical	Credit	ECTS
3	0	3	6

Language of instruction:

Course Requisites:

Does the Course Require Work Experience?:

Type of course:

Department Elective

Course Level:

Bachelor

TR-NQF-HE:6. Master`s Degree

QF-EHEA:First Cycle

EQF-LLL:6. Master`s Degree

Mode of Delivery:

Face to face

Course Coordinator :

Dr.Öğr.Üyesi HASAN DENİZ PEKŞEN

Course Lecturer(s):

Course Assistants:

Course Objective and Content

Course Objectives:	This course aims to make an overview of the contemporary political and social issues in the wider Middle East, aka Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Domestic and foreign policies of the regional countries will be analyzed from an historical perspective.
Course Content:	Mapping the Middle East; From Imperialism to Modernization; Civil Society: Fact or Fiction; Security; Eastern Arab States; Western Arab States; Israel, Turkey and Iran; Gulf States.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;

Learning Outcomes

1 - Knowledge
Theoretical - Conceptual
1) • Identify the patterns and general characteristics of politics in the Middle East and North Africa
2) • Identify the dynamics that shape the politics and society of the Middle East and North Africa at the systemic level
3) • Analyze the effects of global developments on Middle Eastern states and societies
4) • Describe the political systems of the states in the Middle East and North Africa
2 - Skills
Cognitive - Practical
3 - Competences
Communication and Social Competence
Learning Competence
Field Specific Competence
Competence to Work Independently and Take Responsibility

Lesson Plan

Week	Subject	Related Preparation
1)	• Final Exam • Identify the political systems in the regions • Identify the foreign policies of the regional states • Compare the historical trajectories of individual countries • Discuss the turning points in terms of secularism • Discuss the turning points in terms of political Islam • Discuss the implications of Arab Uprisings on the region • Discuss the implications of the rise of ISIS on the region	None
1)	• Discuss the course objectives • Discuss the course content with the students • Discuss the syllabus • Identify the main issues • Discuss the grading policy	Cleveland and Bunton 2012, pp. 5-18.
2)	• Define the geographical characteristics of the region • Define the general patterns of politics • Define the political systems in the region • Define the economic systems in the region • Compare the political systems in the region • Define the major characteristics of politics in the region	Cleveland and Bunton 2012, pp. 37-56.
3)	• Define the reforms in the 18th and 19th century • Identify the implications of reforms on the countries in the region • Identify the rise of Arab nationalism • Identify the characteristics of the inter-war period • Compare the changes in different countries	Cleveland and Bunton 2012, pp. 61-170
4)	• Define the political environment from 1940 to 1970 in Turkey and Iran • Identify the main characteristics of political systems from 1940 to 1970 in Turkey and Iran • Discuss development of official state ideology in Turkey • Discuss development of official state ideology in Iran • Compare Turkey and Iran in the period between 1940 and 1970	Cleveland and Bunton 2012, pp. 275-300
5)	• Define the political environment from 1940 to 1970 in Egypt and Tunisia • Identify the main characteristics of political systems from 1940 to 1970 in Egypt and Tunisia • Discuss development of official state ideology in Egypt • Discuss development of official state ideology in Tunisia Compare Egypt and Tunisia in the period between 1940 and 1970	Cleveland and Bunton 2012, pp. 301-344.
6)	• Define the political environment from 1940 to 1970 in Israel and Palestine • Identify the main characteristics of political systems from 1940 to 1970 in Israel and Palestine • Discuss development of official state ideology in Israel • Discuss development of official state ideology in Palestine • Compare Israel and Palestine in the period between 1940 and 1970	Cleveland and Bunton 2012, pp. 345-368
7)	• Define the political environment from 1970 to 1990 in the region • Identify the main characteristics of political systems from 1970 to 1990 in Syria and Iraq • Discuss development of official state ideology in Syria • Discuss development of official state ideology in Iraq • Compare Syria and Iraq in the period between 1970 and 1990	Cleveland and Bunton 2012, pp. 193-238
8)	• Midterm Exam: • Discuss the major characteristics of politics in the region • Discuss the influence of the Cold War on the politics in the region • Discuss different trajectories of secularism • Discuss the rise and consolidation of Arab socialism • Compare individual countries with respect to political systems	None
9)	• Define the political environment in the 1990s in the region • Discuss the Cold War and its influence on the political systems in the region • Identify the main characteristics of political systems in the 1990s in the region • Identify the influence of the First Gulf War on the region • Discuss consolidation of the authoritarian rules in the 1990s	Cleveland and Bunton 2012, pp. 373-396
10)	• Discuss the influence of the end of Cold War on the states • Compare the alignment of the states in the region with the end of the Cold War • Discuss the changes in domestic and foreign policies • Discuss the transformation of rule in Egypt, Tunisia, Iraq and Syria Compare the transformation of rule in Egypt, Tunisia, Iraq and Syria	Cleveland and Bunton 2012, pp. 527-556
11)	• Define the political environment in the 2000s in the region • Discuss the Intifadah movement • Discuss the transformation of political Islam • Compare the strategies of the states towards the Islamist movements • Discuss the international politics in the 2000s	Cleveland and Bunton 2012, pp. 423-450.
12)	• Define the Arab Uprisings • Discuss the factors that led to the uprisings • Compare the factors that shaped the uprisings in individual countries • Discuss the transformation of power and reforms in the region • Discuss the obstacles in front of democratization in the region	Teti, Andrea, and Gennaro Gervasio. 2011. “The Unbearable Lightness of Authoritarianism: Lessons from the Arab Uprisings.” Mediterranean Politics 16(2): 321–27.
13)	• Analyze the beginning of uprisings • Analyze the popular mobilization in Egypt • Discuss the convergences and divergences between different oppositional groups • Discuss the role of the Muslim Brotherhood in the uprisings • Discuss the transformation of political agenda after the overthrow of the regime in Egypt	Watch ‘Al Maidan’
14)	• Define the ISIS movement • Analyze the factors that led to the rise of ISIS • Discuss the consolidation of the power of ISIS • Discuss the reaction of the region states to ISIS Discuss the implications of the spread of ISIS on the regional politics	Foreign Affairs. “The ISIS Crisis.” Foreign Affairs. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/anthologies/2014-03-01/isis-crisis

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks:	Cleveland, William L. 2011. Modern Ortadoğu Tarihi. İstanbul: Agora. ISBN 9786051030043 Cleveland, William L., and Martin Bunton. 2012. A History of the Modern Middle East. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Fifth Edition. ISBN: 9780813348339
References:	Yok- None

Course-Program Learning Outcome Relationship

Learning Outcomes	1	2	3	4
Program Outcomes
1) Students will able to explain the essential body of knowledge in the area of International Relations, including evolution of the discipline, the state-of-the-art concepts, scientific methodology, theories and models.
2) Students will able to employ the appropriate tools and analytical techniques to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data in the related areas, interpret results and propose solutions.
3) Students will able to categorize the basic concepts of Turkish politics, comparative politics, international relations, diplomatic history and foreign policy.
4) Students will able to analyze and critically evaluate local and global dynamics of contemporary socio-economic and political developments, foreign policy making and conflict resolution with all aspects.
5) Students will able to discover and create novel opportunities with an entrepreneurial spirit and use expertise to successfully establish and develop their own ventures.
6) Students will able to apply their knowledge in international institutions and multicultural environments and develop an interdisciplinary approach enabling them to relate and synthesize knowledge from diverse disciplines and draw novel conclusions.
7) Students will able to communicate in written and oral English with people from diverse backgrounds, and have the English proficiency to follow and interpret the global dynamics in the areas of International Relations.
8) Students will able to appreciate and defend human rights and multi-cultural diversity, and should emphatically interact with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds in social and professional settings.
9) Students will able to identify standards of personal, professional, social and business ethics, evaluate the ethical implications of various practices in the related areas, and be aware the importance of ethical behavior in adding value to the society.

Course - Learning Outcome Relationship

No Effect	1 Lowest	2 Low	3 Average	4 High	5 Highest

	Program Outcomes	Level of Contribution
1)	Students will able to explain the essential body of knowledge in the area of International Relations, including evolution of the discipline, the state-of-the-art concepts, scientific methodology, theories and models.
2)	Students will able to employ the appropriate tools and analytical techniques to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data in the related areas, interpret results and propose solutions.
3)	Students will able to categorize the basic concepts of Turkish politics, comparative politics, international relations, diplomatic history and foreign policy.
4)	Students will able to analyze and critically evaluate local and global dynamics of contemporary socio-economic and political developments, foreign policy making and conflict resolution with all aspects.
5)	Students will able to discover and create novel opportunities with an entrepreneurial spirit and use expertise to successfully establish and develop their own ventures.
6)	Students will able to apply their knowledge in international institutions and multicultural environments and develop an interdisciplinary approach enabling them to relate and synthesize knowledge from diverse disciplines and draw novel conclusions.
7)	Students will able to communicate in written and oral English with people from diverse backgrounds, and have the English proficiency to follow and interpret the global dynamics in the areas of International Relations.
8)	Students will able to appreciate and defend human rights and multi-cultural diversity, and should emphatically interact with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds in social and professional settings.
9)	Students will able to identify standards of personal, professional, social and business ethics, evaluate the ethical implications of various practices in the related areas, and be aware the importance of ethical behavior in adding value to the society.

Learning Activity and Teaching Methods

Expression
Lesson
Reading

Assessment & Grading Methods and Criteria

Written Exam (Open-ended questions, multiple choice, true-false, matching, fill in the blanks, sequencing)
Homework
Presentation

Assessment & Grading

Semester Requirements	Number of Activities	Level of Contribution
Attendance	1	% 10
Quizzes	1	% 5
Homework Assignments	1	% 10
Midterms	1	% 35
Final	1	% 40
total		% 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK		% 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK		% 40
total		% 100

Workload and ECTS Credit Grading

Activities	Number of Activities	Workload
Course Hours	15	45
Study Hours Out of Class	14	28
Homework Assignments	14	23
Quizzes	15	15
Midterms	15	30
Final	15	30
Total Workload		171