Politics of the Middle East PSIR 301

Why should you care about the Middle East? Oil Conflict affects us all Cradle of Civilisation Art, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, law Birthplace of Monotheism

Course Description This course offers a panoramic survey of the Middle East from the origins of the Islamic Period to the present day. It will deal with the historical, political economic and social concerns beginning with the comparative politics of the countries of the region and the major events of the 20 th Century. It will then explore several political themes that influence the region and international politics as a whole.

Aims and Objectives The general aim of this course is to assist the students in developing a good understanding of Middle East, its history, political, social and economic makeup and the key issues that affect the region. Specific objectives include providing the students with: – Knowledge of the countries of the region and their political makeup. – Understanding of the diversity of its peoples and the variety of political actors and structures. – Basic understanding of the history, key issues, concepts, actors, states and international relations of the region. – Obtaining skills to critically analyze these and draw informed independent conclusions.

General Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, all students are expected to have developed a good understanding of the Middle East and as well as its place in international politics. You will have the skill to analyze historical and contemporary political developments, conveying your knowledge and analysis through oral and written mediums. You will have strengthened your abilities in critical thinking, effective communication, research and writing.

Method of Assesment Midterm Exam:30% of FINAL GRADE – Multiple Choice – Map Test – Essay Question Reactıon Papers 30% of FINAL GRADE Final Exam:40% of FINAL GRADE – Multiple Choice – Essay Question

MAKE-UP EXAM AND WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS POLICY Make-up exams will only be given in the following circumstances: Sickness, Examination timetable clash, other exceptional circumstances. In all cases, you must submit a written request via the Departmental Secretary within three working days giving reasons together with the necessary supporting evidence. All other requests for make-up examinations will be refused and a mark of “0” will be entered for the examination Make-up examinations consist of essay questions only. Written assignments will need to be submitted on paper and in electronic format by 5pm on their due dates.

Structure of the Course 1) Introduction, Historical Overview Weeks 2) Comparative Politics – Country assesment 3) International Relations – Pan Arabism, Arab Cold War, Iran-Iraq War, Gulf War I, II Mıd Term Exams Politics of Religion – Islamic IR, Political Islam, Iranian Rev, Jihadism 5) Contemporary Issues – Arab/Israeli Conflict, ME Cold War, Identity, Gender, Democracy, Arab Spring, Green Movement, Syria, War on Terror, Petro Politics, Modernity, Globalisation.

Sample Readıngs Saudi Arabia in the New Middle East (Introduction) &p00=saudi+arabia+politics Library of International Relations : GCC and the International Relations of the Gulf : Diplomacy, Security and Economic Coordination in a Changing Middle East (Introduction) &p00=gulf+states+politics Documentary History of Modern Iraq (Introduction) &p00=iraq

Sample Vıdeos 20th Century Battlefields Gulf War The Iraq War FaY FaY

How to find me Office BE 185 Office Hours: or by appointment – Monday 13:30 – 14:20 – Tuesday 13:30 – 14:20 – Wednesday 11:30 – 12:30

Facts Over 400 million people, half under 25 Arab League 22 Countries + Iran, Israel Predominantly Sunni Shiite Majority: Iran, Iraq, Bahrain Large Shiite Minority: Kuwait, Yemen, Lebanon, Al-Hansa Province Saudi Arabia Average Adult literacy 76.9 % Contains 2/3 of known oil reserves

Current Affairs Syrian – Iraqi Conflict, ISIS Post- Revolutionary Egypt, Fatah al-Sisi Iranian Nuclear Deal Palestıne – Israel War ın Yemen Destablısatıon of Lıbya Refugee Crısıs

The Politics of the MiddlE East Historical Overview I

The Middle East Before Islam Video Pre Islamic Middle East MUQ

Mohamed: Merchant, Prophet, Political Leader Revelation: From Merchant to Prophet Hijra 622 Birth of the Umma, Community of Believers Tribal loyalties replaced with a broader community identity The first Islamic State, Constitution of Medina

The Rashidun Rightly Guided Caliphs 750 Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Kittab, Uthman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Talib The Wars of Apostasy (Rida Wars) – Of the six major centres of the revolt four of the leaders of the movement offered competing claims to being prophets themselves.

The Rise of Empires The Umayyads Contenders: Shi’ite, Carmathian, Fatamid, Almoravid, Almohad, Safavid A Failure of Leadership Early and rapid expansion out of Arabia Faced issues of administration not previously encountered Failed to earn legitimacy in religious terms A Kingdom not a Caliphate

The Abbasids By 775 Abbasid rule firmly established and the empire unified, with the exception of Umayyad controlled Spain, Cordoba Caliphate Capital moved to Baghdad Consolidates the relationship between, umma, Caliph and Ulema Creation of a formalised Sharia Closing the ‘Gates of Ijtihad’ Greatest expansion of Islamic territory

The Crusades

Rise of the Ottomans 1258 Mongol Invasion and the Fall of Baghdad Emergence of the Turku-Seljuk State 13 th C Changing nature of the relationship between religion and the state Cooption of the Ulema