Insegnamento a.a. 2024-2025

To introduce students to the politics of the Middle East and North Africa, the course will begin by providing important historical context before moving to discuss contemporary political developments in the region. Students will first receive an overview of historical state formation, the nature and consequences of colonial rule, and the emergence of nationalist resistance and independent states. Next, the course will analyze modes of authoritarian governance in MENA as well as the political economy of the region.

With this foundation established, the remainder of the course will focus on important issues of contemporary politics in the region. Lectures will cover the Arab uprisings and their aftermath; wars and conflicts conflict; the political role of state religious establishments and attitudes toward religion in politics; the emergence, rise, and then decline of political Islam; the politics of social issues including gender and migration; and the dynamics of international affairs in the region. Throughout the course, particular attention will be given to four key themes: the interaction between religion and politics, the factors that sustain authoritarianism, political violence and conflicts, and the role of popular politics in driving political change.

• Describe the historical roots of modern governance and political challenges in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Explain the major political, economic, and social transformations in the contemporary Middle East.
• Identify how religion shapes and is shaped by politics in the MENA region.
• State the reasons for the resilience of authoritarianism in Middle Eastern states.
• Illustrate the influence of conflict on political developments in the region.
• Summarize the forms of popular politics in MENA and their impact on regional governance.

• Apply theories of political science to analyze and interpret Middle East politics.
• Synthesize and discuss academic debates and diverse perspectives on Middle Eastern political issues.
• Identify and collect reliable information from various sources on Middle East politics.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills through presentations, debates, and essay writing.
• Evaluate and scientifically assess contemporary arguments about the political and economic issues in the Middle East. 

• Lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Individual works / Assignments
• Collaborative Works / Assignments

Guest speakers may be invited to share their expertise on the Middle East. Students will also collaborate on papers and present their work during class. These assignments are designed to enhance students' presentation, writing, and analytical skills while providing practical experience with writing styles commonly used in professional settings.

The assessment of attending students consists of the following components:

• Class participation: The participation grade will be determined primarily by attendance at the lectures but also by participation in course discussions.
• Group paper and presentation: Students will sign up for groups to work together on a short paper and a presentation. The topics will be given in the syllabus. 

• Final Exam: The final exam will consist of a mix of questions, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer and essay questions. 

• In-class quizzes to ensure that students conduct the readings.

The assessment of non-attending students will depend on a final exam. The final exam will consist of a mix of questions, including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer and essay questions.

The following books will be recommended readings:

• Cleveland, William L. and Martin Bunton. 2016. A History of the Modern Middle East.

• Gelvin, James L. 2020. The Modern Middle East: A History.