Syllabus
Date
Topic
Lecture/seminar
Taught by
Presentation topics 22.2.
Opening – historical overview, ME in the 20th century // Current questions, problems and challenges
L
Both 29.2.
Israel and the Arab World, The Middle East Peace Process
L
SV 7.3.
Modern geopolitical conflict for regional supremacy
L
SV 14.3.
The Role of Religion in the ME politics (Confession, Identity, and Ethnicity)/Social conflicts and other sources of tension
L (double class!!!)
SV 21.3.
Seminar: Israel
S
BD 1) Polarization in Israel (settler issue) 2) Polarization in Palestine (Hamas) 3) Possible solutions to the conflict 4.4.
Seminar: Sunna-Shia
S
BD 1) Competition in Yemen 2) Competition in Iraq 3) Iran, Saudi Arabia, and nuclear weapons 11.4.
Seminar: role of religion
S
BD 1) Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood after the Arab Spring 2) Ennahda movement after the Arab Spring 3) Role of Islam in contemporary Turkey 18.4.
Seminar: Social Tension
S
BD 1) Demography and social issues in Iran 2) Social issues in oil/non-oil producing countries 3) Khaat in Yemen 25.4.
Demise of State in the ME in Intl Theory
L
BD 2.5.
Specifics of Northern Africa
L
BD 9.5.
Seminar: North Africa after the Arab Spring
S
BD 1) Tuaregs and insurgencies 2) Foreign intervention and proxy groups in Libya 3) Importance of Nile river disputes for Egypt
Annotation
The course is focused on presenting the current challenges of the Middle East region. It will explain various factors that formed its political character, will present current geopolitical situation and will provide understanding on driving forces behind the major defining characteristics of the region.