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Contemporary Middle East and South Asia (ISLM90007)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
July
Overview
Availability | July - Online |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
How should we understand current affairs in the Middle East and South Asia, with particular reference to the intersection of religion (Islam) and politics? This subject surveys a number of movements, organisations, parties, and political issues in the Middle East and South Asia, drawing on case studies to explore key issues in the contemporary politics of both regions. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between Islam and violence, state formation, democracy, alliance-building, and human rights.
With reference to the Middle East, the subject focuses on Muslim-majority states; in South Asia, it also considers Muslim-minority states. Beyond Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India, the course concludes with a consideration of Australian responses to states and populations with 'Islamic' or 'Islamist' orientations. What links Australia to Muslims in the modern Middle East, South Asia, and indeed the wider world?
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject should:
- formulate a critical understanding of the relationship between religion and politics, with a particular focus on the relationship between Islam and politics in the Middle East and South Asia;
- articulate an assessment of the religious and non-religious forces that shape the relationship between Islam and politics in both Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority contexts;
- improve their ability to critically engage with current academic and non-academic literature regarding Islam and politics;
- and, demonstrate a nuanced understanding of Muslim political activism as well as the historical contexts within which it emerged.
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;
- have an enhanced understanding of the concept of academic freedom in the region
- develop improved and diverse writing skills through the completion of assessment tasks
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
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Seminar Podcast
| Throughout the semester | 15% |
Review Article
| 7 Days after the end of teaching | 35% |
Research Essay
| 4 Weeks after the end of teaching | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Class attendance is required for this subject; if you do not attend a minimum of 75% of classes without an approved exemption you will not be eligible for a pass in this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Submission of all assessment is required to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day. After five working days, assessment submitted without an approved extension will not be marked. There is no provision for late submission of in class tasks without permission.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- July - Online
Principal coordinator Matthew Nelson Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 30 hours: Two 2.5-hour seminars per day, taught over 6 days. Total time commitment 170 hours Pre teaching start date 26 June 2021 Pre teaching requirements Reading of course materials available on Canvas. Teaching period 15 July 2021 to 22 July 2021 Last self-enrol date 29 June 2021 Census date 16 July 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 30 July 2021 Assessment period ends 19 August 2021 July contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours total
Additional delivery details
Please note:
- 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
Recommended texts and other resources
Shahram Akbarzadeh and Kylie Baxter, Middle East Politics and International Relations (London: Routledge, 2018)
Kylie Baxter and Shahram Akbarzadeh, US Foreign Policy in the Middle East. (London: Routledge, 2008) - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Islamic Studies Specialisation (formal) Islamic Studies Specialisation (formal) Arabic Studies Specialisation (formal) Islamic Studies Specialisation (formal) Islamic Studies Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Arabic Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Islamic Studies - 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.
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
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022