2018/19 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ARAB1160 Introduction to the Middle East: Politics, Culture and Religion

20 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Dr James Dickins
Email: j.dickins@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The Middle East as an area of interest is the focus of much media attention. This module surveys and attempts to the Middle East not only as a geopolitical entity, but also as a multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-linguistic and multi-ethnic region.

Objectives

The main objective of this module is to provide an in-depth understanding of the elements that go to define the Middle East not only as a geopolitical entity, but also as a multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-linguistic and multi-ethnic region. A team of experts on the region will contribute to the teaching of this module and will each in turn bring in their field of expertise.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should have acquired a good grounding in the History, culture, politics, religions, languages etc of the Middle East. By completing this module students should have secured a base for further study of the Middle East in subsequent levels of their programme. In addition to the discipline knowledge students should have acquired various communication, and time management skills.

Syllabus

The topics covered in the module include:

Theme I: History
- Defining the Middle East
- Middle Eastern Civilisations
Theme II: Politics
- The Modern Middle Easter State System
- Regime Types and Political Reform
Theme III: Culture
- The Arabic Language
- Culture and Society
- Arab Media
Theme IV: Middle Eastern Religions
- Religious Practices
- Islam in the West

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			179.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

200 hours including the contact hours and also hours spent on student preparation for one essay, seminar presentations, and lectures.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored using the following methods:
- Written / oral assignments
- Designated feedback sessions (one per semester)
- Student questionnaires
- Personal tutee appointments
- Tutor office hours

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2000 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S1)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/11/2018 09:25:40

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