Students

POL 278 – Middle-East Politics

2017 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Jumana Bayeh
Contact via jumana.bayeh@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
12cp at 100 level or above or (3cp in HIST or MHIS or POL units)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The September 11 terrorist attacks focused world attention on the Middle East and its relations with the West. This unit introduces students to the domestic politics of the Middle East, and to the intellectual and ideological currents shaping those politics. The first weeks are devoted to the contemporary history of the region from the late nineteenth century to the rise of post-colonial states in the area. Broad ranging theoretical concepts necessary for an understanding of Middle Eastern political processes, and different ways of looking at those processes, are considered. The unit then examines in detail the structure of government and the politics of the region. Particular attention is paid to the region's ongoing relations with the West and the current war against terror; the emergence and future prospects of religious fundamentalism; and the rise of Arab nationalism and Zionism. The Arab–Israeli conflict, the 2003 Iraq War and the impact of globalism are also covered.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester.
  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the contemporary Middle East.
  • Outline the geography and contemporary history of the Middle East.
  • Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.
  • Participate and lead, when necessary, in class discussions.
  • Use a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Tutorial Participation 20% No Ongoing
Online Tutorial Activity 1 10% No 13-19 March 2017
Online Tutorial Activity 2 10% No 27 March - 5 April 2017
Research Essay 40% No Friday 15 May 2017, 5pm
Final Exam 20% No 5-11 June 2017

Tutorial Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

Internal students, you are asked to select a topic from the list below and lead the discussion for that tutorial session. The topics will be allocated in tutorials in week 2. Leading the discussion is worth 10% and weekly in-class contributions will also be worth 10%.

Externals will choose a topic and submit a written presentation (about 800 words) on the iLearn discussion board in the relevant week (no later than Tuesday 5pm). All external students will also discuss online the posted presentations, by posting their comments on iLearn. The 800 word discussion paper is worth 5% and weekly contributions will also be worth 5%. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester.
  • Outline the geography and contemporary history of the Middle East.
  • Participate and lead, when necessary, in class discussions.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Online Tutorial Activity 1

Due: 13-19 March 2017
Weighting: 10%

Internal and External students, a learning activity will be posted on iLearn and all students are expected to complete it. Further instructions will be given in class and on iLearn. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester.
  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the contemporary Middle East.
  • Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.
  • Use a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics.

Online Tutorial Activity 2

Due: 27 March - 5 April 2017
Weighting: 10%

Internal and External students, a learning activity will be posted on iLearn and all students are expected to complete it. Further instructions will be given in class and on iLearn. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the contemporary Middle East.
  • Outline the geography and contemporary history of the Middle East.

Research Essay

Due: Friday 15 May 2017, 5pm
Weighting: 40%

The essay must be 2000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography. Essays with less or more words will be penalised. The essay will assess your ability to research the literature, form a thesis, analyse the available material and then present a coherent and compelling argument as a polished academic essay. Essays should refer to a range of material in addition to the required reading and be correctly and consistently referenced. Students are expected to do their own research. The basis of this material should be academic works i.e. chapters in edited books or academic articles in recognised journals. Wikipedia, and similar web-based resources, are not acceptable sources for the essay. Further guidance will be given during lectures and tutorials. 

Essays are to be submitted via Turnitin on the unit's iLearn webpage. Links will be created before the due date.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.
  • Use a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Final Exam

Due: 5-11 June 2017
Weighting: 20%

Internal and External students will find their exam on iLearn. You will all have 1 hour to complete the exam and will have to answer essay questions in that time frame.Further details to be given during the semester.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester.
  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the contemporary Middle East.
  • Outline the geography and contemporary history of the Middle East.
  • Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.

Delivery and Resources

Delivery: This unit has two 1 hour lectures per week that all students are expected to attand. There is also one 1 hour tutorial per week that each student must also attend.

The tutorials are complusory and it is university policy that you must attend 80% of your tutorials.

Resources: The unit guide contains a list of resources for you to consult. Other resources will be made available on iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester.
  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the contemporary Middle East.
  • Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.
  • Participate and lead, when necessary, in class discussions.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Participation
  • Online Tutorial Activity 1
  • Research Essay

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the contemporary Middle East.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester.
  • Outline the geography and contemporary history of the Middle East.
  • Participate and lead, when necessary, in class discussions.
  • Use a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Participation
  • Online Tutorial Activity 1
  • Online Tutorial Activity 2

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester.
  • Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.
  • Participate and lead, when necessary, in class discussions.
  • Use a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Assessment task

  • Research Essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester.
  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the contemporary Middle East.
  • Outline the geography and contemporary history of the Middle East.
  • Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.
  • Participate and lead, when necessary, in class discussions.
  • Use a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Participation
  • Online Tutorial Activity 1
  • Online Tutorial Activity 2
  • Research Essay
  • Final Exam

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester.
  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the contemporary Middle East.
  • Use a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Assessment task

  • Final Exam

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the contemporary Middle East.
  • Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.
  • Participate and lead, when necessary, in class discussions.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Participation
  • Online Tutorial Activity 1
  • Online Tutorial Activity 2

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester.
  • Outline the geography and contemporary history of the Middle East.
  • Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.
  • Participate and lead, when necessary, in class discussions.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Assessment tasks

  • Online Tutorial Activity 2
  • Research Essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the contemporary Middle East.
  • Outline the geography and contemporary history of the Middle East.
  • Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.
  • Use a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics.
  • Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, in the particular global post 9/11 environment.

Assessment tasks

  • Tutorial Participation
  • Research Essay