Students

POIR8430 – The Middle East in Global Politics

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Mariam Farida
mariam.farida@mq.edu.au
Consuelo Martinez Reyes
consuelo.martinezreyes@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MIntRel or MSecStrategicStud or MCrim or MIntell or MCyberSecAnalysis or MCTerrorism or MPPP or MPASR or GradCertPP or PGDipIntRel or GradDipIntRel or MIntPubDip.
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit will introduce students to the key questions in the area of the Middle East in global politics, or as Professor Fred Halliday has put it, the Middle East in International Relations. Students will learn about globalisation and neoliberalism, Political Islam, democratisation and the crisis of government legitimacy across the region. Students will also examine the legacies of the Ottoman Era, Colonialism, the Cold War and the “War on Terror” on the shaping of the modern relations of the Middle East at both the regional and the international levels.

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: Develop and apply independent learning and research skills throughout the semester
  • ULO2: Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the international relations of the Middle East.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate a capacity to communicate, both verbally and in written form, ideas during in class and online discussions.
  • ULO4: Evaluate and critically engage with a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics and international relations theory.
  • ULO5: Recognise the importance of undertaking a critically engaged approach to the study of the Middle East.

General Assessment Information

Rubrics and indicative samples are provided in iLearn as additional guidance on standards of achievement for different assessment types. Submission of most tasks is via iLearn, but there maybe use of other submission platforms, such as an e-book. All assessment tasks are compulsory and must be submitted on time. Assignment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date. Late Assessment Submission Penalty Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration Reassessment of Assignments during the semester Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html In accordance with the Grade Appeal Policy, individual works are not subject to regrading.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Reflective Journal 50% No 31/08/2026 Individual Yes Open
Essay 50% No 12/10/2026 Individual Yes Open

Reflective Journal

Assessment Type 1: Reflection task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 31/08/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Students are to keep a weekly journal where they reflect on the readings and the topic for the week.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop and apply independent learning and research skills throughout the semester
  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the international relations of the Middle East.
  • Evaluate and critically engage with a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics and international relations theory.
  • Recognise the importance of undertaking a critically engaged approach to the study of the Middle East.

Essay

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: 12/10/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Write an essay of 2500 words. Choose one essay question provided by the Convenor. Students are expected to utilise the required readings in the unit and independent research.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop and apply independent learning and research skills throughout the semester
  • Outline and critically evaluate theoretical debates related to the international relations of the Middle East.
  • Demonstrate a capacity to communicate, both verbally and in written form, ideas during in class and online discussions.
  • Evaluate and critically engage with a wide range of written and digital resources related to Middle East politics and international relations theory.
  • Recognise the importance of undertaking a critically engaged approach to the study of the Middle East.

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Delivery and Resources The unit runs from weeks 1 to 12 and consists of a 2-hour lecture followed by a 1 hr seminar/tutorial on Friday between 2pm - 5pm at 10HA 212. Lectures are recorded and available in Echo360 within 48 hours. Required readings are accessible via the Leganto site through iLearn, along with other unit resources. Computer and internet access are essential — log in at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

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:

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

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 2026.03 of the Handbook