Students
POIR2780 – Middle-East Politics
2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jumana Bayeh
Karim Pourhamzavi
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above OR (10cp in HIST or MHIS or POL or POIR or MHIX or POIX units)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
The uprisings that gripped the Arab world in 2011, the ongoing violence in Syria, the mixed results of the revolution in Egypt and the emergence of ISIS in 2014 have refocused 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 region. Broad-ranging theoretical concepts necessary for an understanding of Middle Eastern political processes, and different ways of looking at those processes, are considered in the first part. The unit then examines the structure of government and the politics of the region, drawing on some of the ideas from the earlier part of the unit. Particular attention is paid to the region’s ongoing relations with the West and the “war against terrorism”; 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 globalisation 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:
- ULO1: Undertake independent learning and research throughout the semester.
- ULO2: Outline the geography and contemporary history of the Middle East.
- ULO3: Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.
- ULO4: Use a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics to convey, in essays and discussions, convincing arguments and ideas about the region.
- ULO5: Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, by adopting macro (‘big picture’) perspectives discussed in the unit and integrating theory and empirical evidence.
General Assessment Information
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests. The criteria and standards for each assignment will be made available via iLearn.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 40% | No | 8 April, 2021 5pm |
| Essay | 60% | No | 31 May - 6 June, 2021 |
Exam
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 8 April, 2021 5pm
Weighting: 40%
The final exam will be delivered online. It will require students to demonstrate knowledge of the key concepts and debates examined in the unit. Responses to several tasks will total approximately 2,000 words.
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.
- Effectively communicate their understanding and analytical ability in both spoken and, particularly, polished written form.
Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 31 May - 6 June, 2021
Weighting: 60%
Write an essay of 2000 words. Choose one essay question provided by the Convenor. Students are expected to utilise the required readings in the unit and undertake independent research.
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.
- 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 to convey, in essays and discussions, convincing arguments and ideas about the region.
- Raise awareness of the importance of a critical approach to the study of the Middle East, by adopting macro (‘big picture’) perspectives discussed in the unit and integrating theory and empirical evidence.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Delivery: This unit has two 1 hour lectures per week that all students are expected to attend or listen to via echo. There is also one 1 hour tutorial per week that each student must also attend.
Resources: The study guide in iLearn 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 (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.
Unit information based on version 2021.04 of the Handbook