MEAS8113 The Gulf Strategic Environment

Offered By	Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies
Academic Career	Graduate Coursework
Course Subject	Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies
Offered in	First Semester, 2012 and First Semester, 2013
Unit Value	6 units
Course Description	The Persian Gulf is a contested political terrain. The security of regional countries is influenced by a complicated web of strategic, political and cultural variables. It is also a key focus for the national security strategy of the United States. Notwithstanding the diversity of the region, the countries within it face a unique set of social, political, and economic challenges, particularly in comparison to other developing regions. The central focus of the course will be the forces for continuity and change in the Gulf, and the interaction of domestic and external actors and factors shaping the Gulf security environment. It will review internal political and economic trends, the dealings of Gulf states with each other, and their relations with the United States. It will then discuss the role and interests of the United States in the region, and the implications for the United States and its alliance partners of regional developments in the Gulf and surrounding areas. It will conclude with an examination of political and security developments and the regional outlook following the removal of the Saddam Hussein regime.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the course, students should be able to: Identify domestic and external actors and factors shaping the security environment of the Gulf; Understand the global strategic importance of Gulf energy reserves; Understand the security perceptions of the United States and regional countries, and the challenges they face; Discuss and debate critically the ideas that have been advanced to deal with core unresolved regional issues; and Discuss and debate alternative futures for the region, their strategic implications and prospects for developing regional security architecture.
Indicative Assessment	One 4,500 word essay (60%) and three-hour examination (40%).
Workload	One two-hour seminar per week. This course is likely to be held outside of business hours in 2010, most likely 6pm-8pm on a weekday evening
Course Classification(s)	AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs.
Areas of Interest	Arab and Islamic Studies
Preliminary Reading	N. Bensahel and D. Byman, (eds), The Future Security Environment in the Middle East: Conflict, Stability, and Political Change, RAND Corporation, 2004. K. Pollack, "Securing the Gulf", Foreign Affairs, 82, 4, July-August 2003.
Programs	Graduate Diploma in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Graduate Diploma in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Master of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Master of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Graduate Certificate in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, and Master of Arts (International Relations)
Other Information	This course is specifically designed not to disadvantage students who live outside Canberra, who need to travel for work during the semester, or who have unpredictable work commitments. Students who will be based outside Canberra for all, or a significant part of, the semester should arrange to have regular email or telephone contact with the course convener, and especially to have a telephone discussion if required on their interpretation of and planning for the major essay.
Academic Contact	Dr Matthew Gray

The information published on the Study at ANU 2012 website applies to the 2012 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2011 website.