School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences
Course Code POLS 326
Course Title in English Politics and Society in the Middle East
Course Title in Turkish Orta Dogu'da Siyaset ve Toplum
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Fieldwork
Level of Course Introductory
Semester Spring
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 3 Recitation: Lab: Other:
Estimated Student Workload 137 hours per semester
Number of Credits 5 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites None
Expected Prior Knowledge None
Co-requisites None
Registration Restrictions Only Undergraduate Students
Overall Educational Objective To learn historically contextualize the main political, social and ideological dynamics in the Middle East during the last century.
Course Description This course will discuss the main historical, political, and social developments, which took place in the Middle East since the end of the 19th century as an outcome of the impact of “the West” and “modernization”. The main topics will include Imperialism, Nationalism, Revolutionary regimes (i.e. Nasserism, Islamic revolution in Iran), economic and political impact of oil resources, lack of democracy in the Middle East. The course will also discuss current issues such as the “Arab Spring, the civil war in Syria and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Course Description in Turkish Bu ders 19. yüzyılın sonlarından itibaren Ortadoğu'da "Batı" ve "modernleşme"nin bir sonucu olarak ortaya çıkan başlıca tarihi, siyasi ve toplumsal gelişmeleri ele alacaktır. Başlıca konular arasında Emperyalizm, Milliyetçilik, Devrimci rejimler (örn. Nasırcılık, İran'da İslam Devrimi), petrol kaynaklarının ekonomik ve siyasi etkisi, Ortadoğu'da demokrasi eksikliği yer almaktadır. Ders aynı zamanda "Arap Baharı, Suriye'deki iç savaş ve Arap-İsrail çatışması" gibi güncel konuları tartışacaktı

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) understand the main events in the Modern history of the Middle East
2) appraise the main political, social, and ideological developments in the Middle East
3) utilize insight and deep historical background of current conflicts in the Middle East
4) understand the political, economic, social, and ideological outcomes of the encounter between the Middle East and Western Modernity
5) analyze various sources and discuss various interpretations regarding current issues in politics and society of the Middle East.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4 5
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation.
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes.
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts.
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline.
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards.
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences.
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level).
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement.
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses.
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning.
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. N
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation. N
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes. H Exam,HW,Participation
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts. N
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline. N
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards. N
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences. N
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level). N
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. S Participation
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement. S HW,Participation
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses. N
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning. S Exam,HW
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations. H Exam,HW
Prepared by and Date EVRİM GÖRMÜŞ , December 2023
Course Coordinator EVRİM GÖRMÜŞ
Semester Spring
Name of Instructor Assoc. Prof. Dr. EVRİM GÖRMÜŞ

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Introduction – What is the Middle East?
2) Imperialism and European Involvement in the Middle East
3) First World War and its Outcomes in the Middle East
4) Ethnicity, Religion, and Nationalism in the Middle East
5) The Cold War and Pan-Arabism in the Middle East
6) Oil resources and the Challenges of Economic Development in the Middle East
7) Lack of Democracy in the Middle East
8) Islamic Revolution in Iran
9) Arab-Israeli Conflict
10) Arab-Israeli Wars and Peace
11) Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
12) Fundamentalism and Terrorism in the Middle East
13) Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East
14) The “Arab-Spring” – Was it a Revolution? Did it Fail?
Required/Recommended ReadingsRequired and recommended bibliography will be posted on the Blackboard.
Teaching MethodsTeaching will be done, using the Flipped Learning methods, with Pre-Class activity (reading, video etc.); In-Class activity with focus on discussions and case studies examination; Post-Class activities (homework, summary writing, etc.). Students are expected to prepare their pre-class activities and take active part in class discussions. In addition, students are expected to work in small groups (3-5) students) on their course project, which will be introduced in the first lesson
Homework and ProjectsHome-work will include: Pre-class readings and activities, which will be loaded on the blackboard; individual presentation work, which will be submitted by mid-term; and a group-work project.
Laboratory Work
Computer Use
Other Activities
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 14 % 10
Quiz(zes) 1 % 10
Project 1 % 25
Seminar 1 % 20
Final Examination 1 % 35
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration gormuse@mef.edu.tr
02123953600
Rules for attendance – students are expected to attend classes according to the rules of MEF University. Since this is a discussion-oriented course – students are expected to participate actively in class-discussions. Late submissions and Missing Exam - If you miss the assignments due to illness, you are required to submit a doctor’s report. If for other reasons, please communicate with the instructor in advance. A reminder of proper classroom behavior - The instructor aims to encourage and facilitate a democratic and participatory class environment. Therefore, sexist, racist or any insulting comments are NOT allowed in class. Code of student conduct – students are expected to follow and respect the code of student conduct in accordance to the rules of MEF University. Statement on plagiarism - While the instructor does not expect to encounter instances of cheating in this class, you should be aware that academic integrity is taken very seriously, and that there are significant consequences if you are caught cheating or engaging in academic misconduct, or plagiarism.

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 14 2 3 2 98
Presentations / Seminar 1 8 1 9
Project 1 10 2 12
Final Examination 1 16 2 18
Total Workload 137
Total Workload/25 5.5
ECTS 5