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POLS210 Politics of the Middle East

An introduction to the crisis-ridden affairs of the Middle East and North Africa, including spillover into the wider world. Political regimes and sources of war and terrorism across the region.

The main concepts and themes covered in the paper include the nature and impacts of tyranny, the drivers of conflict and the struggle for political participation. The course also explores the opportunities and threats to Middle Eastern societies, including the economic, environmental, social-demographic, political and geopolitical problems faced by overwhelmingly youthful populations in this vital region positioned at the centre of global affairs.

Paper title Politics of the Middle East
Paper code POLS210
Subject Politics
EFTS 0.15
Points 18 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) $955.05
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Prerequisite
One 100-level POLS paper or 72 points
Schedule C
Arts and Music
Eligibility
An interest in national and international affairs is an advantage.
Contact
politics@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff

Dr Leon Goldsmith

Textbooks

Highly recommended reading:

Monshipouri, Mahmoud, (2019). Middle East Politics: Changing Dynamics, Routledge.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this paper will acquire:

  • Reliable and balanced empirical knowledge of the political structures and actors of the Middle East
  • An emerging theoretical capacity for explaining and interpreting the politics of a crucial region to global affairs

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Timetable

Semester 2

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught On Campus
Learning management system
Blackboard

Lecture

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend
A1 Wednesday 16:00-16:50 28-34, 36-41
Thursday 16:00-16:50 28-34, 36-41

Tutorial

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend one stream from
A1 Monday 16:00-16:50 30-34, 36-40
A2 Tuesday 17:00-17:50 30-34, 36-40
A3 Tuesday 16:00-16:50 30-34, 36-40
A4 Monday 17:00-17:50 30-34, 36-40