Arab World: International Relations, Security and Governance
Code: 41715 ECTS Credits: 10| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4313800 International Relations, Security and Development | OT | 0 | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Laura Feliu Martínez
- Email:
- laura.feliu@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject. Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2023.
Teachers
- Laura Feliu Martínez
- Francesc Serra Massansalvador
- Guillem Farrés Fernández
- Olivia Isabell Glombitza
- Eduard Soler Lecha
- Blanca Camps Febrer
- Rachid Aarab Aarab
- Ferran Izquierdo Brichs
External teachers
- Timothy Kaldas
Prerequisites
No specific prerequisites
Objectives and Contextualisation
Course objectives
- To gain an in-depth understanding of the various concepts, theoretical models and methodological tools in the field of security and development studies.
- To advance in the formulation and elaboration of research proposals that can contribute to knowledge and to social and political debates based on the analysis and use of the theoretical framework and instruments necessary to work in the international sphere.
- To know and be able to critically evaluate the theory and practice of human development and human security.
- Acquire the necessary knowledge of the politics, culture, religion, economy and society of the Arab world in order to be able to analyse different regional dynamics in a comparative manner.
- To acquire the necessary skills to analyse regional dynamics of cooperation and conflict in order to extract the conceptual and analytical tools for future analysis.
Competences
- Analyse the international situation and recognise its complexity, using the theoretical tools seen in the master's programme, and base one's vision of the future on sound knowledge of preceding periods.
- Analyse, synthesise, organise and plan projects and assignments related to the area of study.
- Apply the necessary methodological instruments for systematic and rigorous analysis of international relations (observation, comparison, formulation of hypotheses, etc.), and intervention tools (policy and strategy making, planning, negotiation and mediation techniques, etc.).
- Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- Seek out information in the scientific literature, skilfully handling specialised documentary and bibliographic sources on international relations, and integrate this information to formulate and contextualise a research topic.
- Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
- Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse, synthesise, organise and plan projects and assignments related to the area of study.
- Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- Identify analyses made from different theoretical perspectives, especially the analysis of the region's power structure, ongoing violent conflict, the importance of transnational processes and identity factors.
- Seek out information in the scientific literature, skilfully handling specialised documentary and bibliographic sources on international relations, and integrate this information to formulate and contextualise a research topic.
- Solve problems in new or little-known situations within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to the field of study.
- Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
- Write an academic article linking the analysis of the sociology of power to the main theoretical approaches, as these have been reformulated for application in particular regional contexts.
Content
Block I. Introduction to International Relations in the Arab World
In this block, the specificity of the Arab World region will be addressed from the point of view of the Social Sciences, and more specifically of International Relations. It will analyse how historical, cultural, religious and socio-economic factors have shaped political and social dynamics in the region. Furthermore, it will examine how regional dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region influence the international system and vice versa. The theoretical approach of the Sociology of Power to understand the tensions in the Middle East and how they manifest themselves in political and social contexts will be presented. In addition, feminist perspectives from the Middle East and North Africa will be examined, analysing the role of women in politics and society, as well as the struggles and achievements in terms of gender equality.
It will address, among others, the following issues:
- The specificity of the region from the point of view of the Social Sciences.
- International Relations and the MENA region
- Tensions in the Middle East and the theoretical proposal of the sociology of power.
- Feminist Perspectives from the Middle East and North Africa
Block II. Geopolitics and Political Economy
This block will examine how global geopolitical and economic dynamics influence the region, considering factors such as military power, economic interests and strategic alliances. The impact of the great powers in the region will be studied, as well as the foreign policies of the region's major states, considering their interests, priorities and strategies in the international arena. Special attention will also be paid to oil and gas resources in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, analysing how energy resources influence international relations and regional dynamics.
These issues, among others, will be addressed:
- Global powers, fractures and transformations: the impact on the Middle East and North Africa.
- Oil and gas cooperation in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
- The foreign policies of the region's large states.
Block III. Violent conflicts
This block will examine the intervention of major powers in regional conflicts, whether through direct military intervention, support for local actors or political and economic influence. Specific cases of armed conflict in the Maghreb and the Mashreq will be studied, analysing the causes, dynamics and consequences of these conflicts. It will explore how these conflicts have impacted on international relations, regional security, and the political and social dynamics of the region.
It will address, among others, the following issues:
- The intervention of major powers in the region's conflicts.
- Case studies of armed conflicts in the Maghreb
- Case studies of armed conflicts in the Mashreq.
Block IV. Identity, ideas and social mobilisation
This block will examine the role of discourses, ideas and ideologies in the Arab World region. It will analyse how political, religious and cultural discourses influence the shaping of individual and collective identities, as well as political and social dynamics. It will explore the relationship between population and popular mobilisations, analysing how social movements and protests have emerged in response to different political and socio-economic challenges. In addition, the role of religious communities in conflicts in the Middle East will be analysed, looking at sectarian tensions and conflicts.
It will address, among others, the following issues:
- Discourse, ideas and ideology in the region.
- Population and popular mobilisation
- Religious communities and conflict in the Middle East
Methodology
During the module, a blended methodology combining lectures and reverse pedagogy is used in order to encourage more active and participatory learning. Through the master classes, the lecturer transmits his fundamental knowledge and provides an overview of the content. With reverse pedagogy, on the other hand, students are responsible for doing compulsory reading prior to the sessions, in order to be able to actively participate in class activities and discussions.
In order to develop the knowledge acquired, students have the opportunity to carry out practical exercises related to their theoretical content. These exercises allow students to apply the concepts learned and develop practical skills relevant to the module. In addition, autonomous learning is promoted, as students are required to prepare short oral questions based on the compulsory readings, in which they must show their understanding of the content and their ability to express themselves coherently and accurately.
Finally, to assess students' progress and understanding, a two-part exam is administered. The first part is a test which tests the theoretical knowledge acquired. The second part consists of a topic-type question, in which students must answer in an argued and analytical way, demonstrating their ability to relate and apply the concepts studied in the module.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Classroom lectures and seminars | 50 | 2 | 1, 3, 5, 2, 6 |
| Readings and reading notes | 50 | 2 | 1, 4, 3, 5, 2, 6 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Readings and preparation of an article | 75 | 3 | 1, 4, 3, 7, 5, 2, 6 |
Assessment
The evaluation of the module will be carried out considering the following criteria:
- Elaboration of 4 exercises corresponding to each of the blocks, following the instructions provided on the virtual campus at the beginning of the module. These exercises must be handed in through the homework assigned for the last day of class of each block. Each exercise will have a weight of 10% in the final mark, which represents a total of 40%.
- Formulation of two questions related to two sessions of the Aula Mediterrània cycle organised by IEMed. Students will select two of the three sessions available and will pose questions based on the reading corresponding to the session, as well as other complementary readings. Each question will be worth 5% (10% in total) of the final mark. Questions must be submitted to the virtual campus before the corresponding session.
- Final exam which will consist of a quiz which will account for 20% of the final mark and the development of a topic question which will contribute the remaining 20%. This section of the exam will assess the overall understanding of the content of the module and the student's capacity for analysis and argumentation. Overall, the final exam will account for 40% of the total module mark.
- Active participation in classroom activities, which will contribute 10% of the final grade. Attendance at the sessions is compulsory, and a minimum attendance of 70% will be required to fulfil the requirements. In case of missing a class, students must notify in advance and provide a valid justification, whenever possible.
It is important to note that attendance, participation and meeting the established deadlines are fundamental aspects for the evaluation process in this module.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class paarticipation | 10% | 15 | 0.6 | 4, 5, 2 |
| Exam | 40% | 2 | 0.08 | 1, 2, 6 |
| Oral questions | 10% | 20.5 | 0.82 | 1, 4, 3, 7, 5, 2, 6 |
| Realization of Practical exercises | 40% | 37.5 | 1.5 | 1, 3, 5, 2, 6 |
Bibliography
COMPULSORY BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fawcett, L. (2019). International Relations of the Middle East. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 173-193.
One compulsory text will be required for each lesson.
Readings corresponding to the 4 exercises of the 4 blocks.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
AGATHANGELOU, A. M., & Soguk, N. (Eds.). (2013). Arab Revolutions and World Transformations. Routledge.
AA. VV, El Magreb: percepción española de la estabilidad en el Mediterráneo, prospectiva hacia el 2010, Madrid, Ministerio de Defensa. Instituto Español de Estudios Estratégicos, 2000. (Cuadernos de Estrategia, 106)
ARMSTRONG, Karen (2001). El Islam–Una breve historia universal.
AYUBI, N. N. (1996). El Islam político: teorías, tradición y rupturas. Edicions Bellaterra.
BARNETT, M. (1996-1997). “Regional Security after the Gulf War”, Political Science Quarterly 111, n.º 4, pp. 597-617.
BARNETT, M. (1998). “A Narrative of Arab Politics” y “The Game of Arab politics” en Barnett, Dialogues in Arab Politics. Negotiations in Regional Order. Nueva York: CUP, pp. 1-53.
BARNETT, M.N. (1998). “The End of the Arab States System? Arab Politics since the Gulf War” en Barnett, Dialogues in Arab Politics. Negotiations in Regional Order. Nueva York: Columbia University Press, pp. 213-235.
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FAWCETT, L. (2005). International Relations of the Middle East. Nueva York: Oxford University Press, pp. 173-193.
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HENRY, Cl. M. (2005). “The Clash of Globalisations in the Middle East” en L. Fawcett, International Relations of the Middle East. Nueva York: Oxford University Press, pp. 105-129.
HINNEBUSCH, R. (2002), "The Middle East Regional System" en HINNEBUSCH, R.; EHTESHAMI, A. (eds.) The Foreign Policies of Middle East States, Boulder, Linne Rienner, pp. 29‑54.
HINNEBUSCH, R. (2014). Historical Sociology and the Arab Uprising. Mediterranean Politics, 19(1), pp. 137-140.
HUDSON, M. (1999). Middle East Dilemas. The Politics and Economics of Arab Integration. Londres: IB Tauris.
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KORANY, DESSOUKI (dirs.). The Foreign Policies of Arab States. The Challenge of Change. Boulder, etc.: Westview Press; El Cairo: The American University [1ª ed. 1984], pp. 49-102.
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LOCKMAN, Zachary (2009). Contending visions of the Middle East: The history and politics of Orientalism. Cambridge University Press
LUCIANI, G. (2005). “Oil and Political Economy in the International Relations of the Middle East” en L. Fawcett, International Relations of the Middle East. Nueva York:Oxford University Press, pp. 79-104.
LUCIANI, G. y SALAME, G. (eds.) (1998). The Politics of Arab Integration. Nueva Cork: Croom Helm.
LUSTICK, I. S. (1997). "The Absence of Middle Eastern Great Powers: Political 'Backwardness' in Historical Perspective", International Organization 51 (4), pp. 653-683.
Malmvig, H. (2014). Power, Identity and Securitization in Middle East: Regional Order after the Arab Uprisings. Mediterranean Politics, 19(1), pp. 12-34.
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MÜLLER, Ph. (2011) “Driving Forces Behind Alliance Building in the Middle East”, BIPS, 01/2011, pp. 1-14. http://www.agips.org/doc/bips/2011/BIPS-Jg2011-Nr01.pdf
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ZOUBIR, Y.H. y H. AMIRAH FERNANDEZ (coords.). (2008) El Magreb. Realidades nacionales y dinamicas regionales. Madrid: Síntesis, pp. 303‑ 325.
Software
No specific software