MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East

First Year Course

Offered By	Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies
Academic Career	Undergraduate
Course Subject	Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies
Offered in	First Semester, 2011 and First Semester, 2012
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	This interdisciplinary course will examine the emergence of the modern Middle East. It will be organised thematically rather than chronologically and its aim is to acquaint beginning students with the major historical, religious, social, economic, and political dimensions of the Middle East. Students will be exposed to lectures and a variety of readings that cover such topics as the construction of identities, the place of tradition and history, the impact of imperialism, the development of nationalism, and the reasons for revolution and conflict in the region. The course will also look at the contemporary challenges of globalisation, religious radicalisation, democratisation, and transnational terrorism.
Learning Outcomes	This course aims to achieve the following specific learning outcomes: Knowledge: Students will learn important events, places, and time periods in the development of the modern Middle East. Comprehension: They will understand how these relate to underlying cultural, social, and religious trends in the region and to broader forces such as imperialism, conflict, and radicalism. Analysis: They will be able to judge whether these trends and forces make the Middle East unique or exceptional. Argument: They will be able to construct arguments that both draw on specific historical and contemporary examples and evaluate differing perspectives on key Middle Eastern issues. This course also aims to achieve the following generic learning outcomes: Prioritising material: Students will learn how to manage a large amount of empirical material and order it in a comprehensible manner. Synthesis: Students will be able to draw on the material presented in lectures and the readings to make connections and draw conclusions. Critical thinking: Students will learn how to look at contested interpretations of history, culture, and politics and to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Communication: Through tutorials and essays, students will learn how to present their ideas, both verbally and in writing, in a structured and clear way.
Indicative Assessment	The assessment for this course will be :- Book Report (500 words) 20% Essay (1200 words) 40% End of Semester Examination 30% Tutorial Performance 10%
Workload	1 x 2 Hr Lectures plus 1 x 1 Hr tutorial each week
Areas of Interest	Arab and Islamic Studies
Preliminary Reading	Albert Hourani, A History of the Arab Peoples; Mehran Kamrava, The Modern Middle East
Majors/Specialisations	Development Studies
Other Information	This course may be counted towards a Development Studies major.
Academic Contact	Prof. Amin Saikal

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.