7AAJM206 Ideology, Revolution & Civil War in the Middle East
Credit value: 20
Module tutor: Dr Craig Larkin
Assessment: one x 5,000-word essay (100%)
Teaching pattern: one two-hour class weekly over ten weeks
This module analyses contemporary Islamist revolutionary movements in the Middle East, charting the rise of leading figures in the Egyptian, Saudi and Iraqi Islamist movements. Examining the influence their ideas had on Islamist groups in Algeria, Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories, this course evaluates the challenge militant Islam poses to the Middle East state system and how this challenge has been met.
Using comparative analysis, this course enables you to evaluate the origins of political Islam and its impact on the contemporary Middle East. It will familiarise you with the scholarly theoretical debates over the rise of militant Islam and Western responses to the phenomena of international jihadism.
Module aims
This module will examine the role of ideology and the impact of revolution and civil war in the post colonial Middle East state system. Specifically the course is designed to:
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provide an in-depth analysis of revolutionary movements in the Middle East in the Twentieth Century
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Provide a detailed historical analysis of state building ventures by post-colonial nationalist movements in Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, and Turkey.
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examine the relationship between ideology and the state in a comparative context
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analyse state building failures and challenges to the state
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examine the theories of revolution and civil war pertinent to these countries
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provide students with the intellectual tools to address the theoretical discourse pertinent to the academic debate concerning revolution and civil war
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a level 7 module and in particular be able to demonstrate the following
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An understanding of the major scholarly debates over the use of revolution and civil war
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An understanding of the political, social and cultural forces that led to revolution and change in Egypt, Iran and Turkey and civil war and the failure of the state in Algeria and Lebanon
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An understanding of the use and application of theories of revolution and civil war
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A capacity to develop empirical and normative research skills
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A capacity to develop analytical, written and presentational skills using primary sources through the discussion and presentation of original work
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A capacity to form opinions through comparative analysis and ideology discourse analysis regarding revolution and civil war
Preliminary reading