Contemporary Middle East & Central Asia (ISLM90007)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Summer Term |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject focuses on the contemporary political landscape of the Middle East and Central Asia. It explores the interplay of international relations and domestic politics, especially in the wake of the war on terror and the Arab Uprisings. It traces the challenge of Islamism with reference to the Arab-Israeli conflict and implications of Iran’s growing assertiveness in the Persian Gulf and Central Asia. Of particular interest is popular perceptions of the United States in the region, as well as the disconnect between the people and the political elite.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- have a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the political systems in the Middle East and Central Asia;
- have a solid appreciation of the role of great powers in the region;
- have an understanding of the interconnectedness of patterns of conflict in the Middle East and Central Asia; and
- have an understanding of Islamic political and social mechanisms in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the political systems in the Middle East and Central Asia;
- gain a solid appreciation of the role of great powers in the region;
- improve oral skills by participating in seminars; and
- develop improved writing skills by producing a 5000 word research paper.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A 3,000-word research paper due four weeks after the end of the teaching period (60%)
- A 2,000 word response to a mock UNSC resolution from the perspective of a key regional or international actor, due at the end of the teaching period (40%)
- Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 100% of classes in order to pass this subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Summer Term
Principal coordinator Kylie Baxter Coordinator Kylie Baxter Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 35 hours: 5 x 7 hour seminars Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 3 January 2018 Pre teaching requirements Reading of course materials. Teaching period 17 January 2018 to 23 January 2018 Last self-enrol date 5 January 2018 Census date 17 January 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 2 February 2018 Assessment period ends 12 February 2018 Summer Term contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours total
Additional delivery details
Please note:
- This is an intensive subject taught over 5 days.
- Students must be admitted into the either the fourth-year honours program, or any graduate program in the Faculty of Arts to enrol in this subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Shahram Akbarzadeh, Uzbekistan and the United States: Authoritarianism, Islamism and Washington's Security Agenda. (London: Zed books, 2005)
Recommended texts and other resources
Shahram Akbarzadeh and Benjamin MacQueen: Islam and Human Rights (London: Routledge, 2008)
Kylie Baxter and Shahram Akbarzadeh, US Foreign Policy in the Middle East. (London: Routledge, 2008)
Olivier Roy, The Failure of Political Islam (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1994). - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Arabic Studies Specialisation (formal) Islamic Studies Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Arabic Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Islamic Studies Specialisation (formal) Islamic Studies Major EMA 150 point program - full time over 1.5 years Informal specialisation EMA 200 point program - full time over 1.5 years Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Islamic Studies Informal specialisation Islamic Studies Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Journalism Informal specialisation EMA 200 point program - full time over 2 years Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Arabic Specialisation (formal) Graduate Certificate in Arts - Islamic Studies Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Journalism Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Journalism Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of International Relations Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of International Relations - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 3 November 2022