POLITICAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN THE MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMME COURSE DESCRIPTION

Code	Name of the Course Unit	Semester	In-Class Hours (T+P)	Credit	ECTS Credit
SBU548	POLITICAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN THE MIDDLE EAST	1	3	3	6

GENERAL INFORMATION
Language of Instruction :	Turkish
Level of the Course Unit :	MASTER'S DEGREE, TYY: + 7.Level, EQF-LLL: 7.Level, QF-EHEA: Second Cycle
Type of the Course :	Elective
Mode of Delivery of the Course Unit	-
Coordinator of the Course Unit	Prof. EMİNE AKÇADAĞ ALAGÖZ
Instructor(s) of the Course Unit	Assist.Prof. ALİ SEMİN
Course Prerequisite	No

OBJECTIVES AND CONTENTS
Objectives of the Course Unit:	The aim of this course is to shed light on the political system, socio-economic and social structures of the Middle Eastern countries and the relations between the state and society.
Contents of the Course Unit:	The aim of the course is to examine the establishment phases, political systems, economic, military and social structures of the states that gained independence in the Middle East region in the processes from colonialism to mandate regimes in the Middle East after World War I. In particular, it will be evaluated how the British and French, who established the Modern Middle East, followed a process regarding the region and the policies they pursued towards the separation between state and society. In this context, regional cooperation, wars and problems/crises among the Middle Eastern countries will be discussed by making connections with current issues. For example, the Palestinian-Israeli / Arab-Israeli conflict, the Iranian Revolution (1979), the Iran-Iraq war, the Gulf War, the effects of 9/11 on the Middle East... How current issues such as terrorism, the Arab Spring, etc. are reflected in the societies of the Middle East region will be examined. Within the framework of the course, the political, military, economic, social and sociocultural structures of the Middle Eastern countries will be examined and the regional and global developments since World War II will be taken into consideration. In this context, it is planned to discuss the connections of the political and legal systems of the Middle Eastern countries with international relations.

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE COURSE UNIT (On successful completion of this course unit, students/learners will or will be able to)
Discuss regional cooperation, wars and crises among Middle Eastern countries in relation to contemporary issues.
Analyze the political, military, economic, social and sociocultural structures of the Middle Eastern countries and analyze the relationship between regional and global developments in the historical context.
Demonstrate the main reasons behind the crises in the Middle East.

WEEKLY COURSE CONTENTS AND STUDY MATERIALS FOR PRELIMINARY & FURTHER STUDY
Week	Preparatory	Topics(Subjects)	Method
1	Literature research and course preparation	Geopolitical Importance, Political and Economic (energy, underground riches) Structure of the Middle East	Lecture, presentation and debate
2	Literature research and course preparation	Independence Processes of Middle Eastern States (Mandate Regimes)	Lecture, presentation and debate
3	Literature research and course preparation	The Period of Coups in the Middle Eastern Countries after World War II and the Balances in the Bipolar World System	Lecture, presentation and debate
4	Literature research and course preparation	Organizations in the Middle East (Arab League, OPEC, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Gulf Cooperation Council)	Lecture, presentation and debate
5	Literature research and course preparation	The Establishment of Israel, the Arab-Israeli Wars and the Processes of the Palestinian Question until Today (Camp David Agreement 1979 and Peace Processes)	Lecture, presentation and debate
6	Literature research and course preparation	Khomeini Revolution in Iran in 1979, Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988 and Regional Balances	Lecture, presentation and debate
7	Literature research and course preparation	1975-1990 Lebanese Civil War, Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait Power Rivalries in the Gulf	Lecture, presentation and debate
8	-	MID-TERM EXAM	-
9	Literature research and course preparation	Non-State Armed Actors and Identity Conflicts in the Middle East	Lecture, presentation and debate
10	Literature research and course preparation	Religion and Politics in the Middle East	Lecture, presentation and debate
11	Literature research and course preparation	9/11 Attacks, Afghanistan-Iraq Invasion and Regional Dynamics Turkey's Middle East Policies: Turkey's Iran Policy, Turkey's Iraq Policy	Lecture, presentation and debate
12	Literature research and course preparation	Arab Spring and Terrorism in the Middle East	Lecture, presentation and debate
13	Literature research and course preparation	Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean in Turkish Foreign Policy	Lecture, presentation and debate
14	Literature research and course preparation	Middle East Policy of Regional-Global Powers (USA, UK etc., Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt)	Lecture, presentation and debate
15	-	General Review	-
16	-	FINAL EXAM	-
17	-	FINAL EXAM	-

SOURCE MATERIALS & RECOMMENDED READING
William Cleveland- Ortadoğu Tarihi
Bernard Lewis- Ortadoğu Çevirmen: Selan Y. Kölay, Yayınevi : Arkadaş Yayıncılık
Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı Türkiye’nin Yakın Tarihi-Yayınevi: Kronik Kitap
Dr. Ali SEMİN, Kimlik ve Dış Politika İşgalden Günümüze Irak’ta Şiilik- NOBEL YAYINEVİ- 2023
Semin, A(2014), “ABD’nin İşgali Sonrasında Irak’ta İran Etkisi ve Türkiye”, İçinde, İran: Değişen İç Dinamikler ve Türkiye-İran İlişkileri, Ed: Soyalp Tamçelik, Ankara: Gazi Kitabevi.
Semin, A ‘‘Arap Uyanışı: Riskler ve Fırsatlar’’, İçinde, Ortadoğu Analizi İki Kutuplu Sistem Sonrası Ortadoğu ve Arap Baharı, Ed: Hasret Çomak ve Caner Sancaktar, İstanbul: Beta Yayınevi.
Semin, A.(2020), “Irak ve Suriye Huzura Kavuşacak Mı?”, İçinde, 2023’e Doğru Küresel Ve Bölgesel Gelişmeler Karşısında Türk Dış Politikası, Ed: Yalçın Sarıkaya, Ankara: TASAV Yayınları.
Semin, A. (2023) ORTA DOĞU'DA FİLİSTİN-İSRAİL SORUNUNDA BÖLGESEL DENGELER: ALGILAR, İŞ BİRLİKLERİ, JEOPOLİTİK VE İRAN ETKİSİ-Akademik Hassasiyetler Dergisi.

ASSESSMENT
Assessment & Grading of In-Term Activities	Number of Activities	Degree of Contribution (%)	Description	Examination Method
Mid-Term Exam	1	50
Final Exam	1	50
TOTAL	2	100

Level of Contribution
0	1	2	3	4	5

KNOWLEDGE
Theoretical
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	To explain the basic concepts and theories associated with the field of Security Studies.					4

KNOWLEDGE
Factual
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	To relate concepts and cases in the field of Security Studies with other fields in Social Sciences.				3
2	To make scientific and interdisciplinary research about the cases in the field.					4

SKILLS
Cognitive
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	To draw conceptual and theoretical connections between past and present risks, threats and security perceptions and to make forecasts for the future.					4

SKILLS
Practical
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	To make literature review for analyzing cases in the field of Security Studies and to use this information for personal studies.						5
2	To use the latest technology for making descriptive and exploratory research and to use this information for personal studies.					4

OCCUPATIONAL
Autonomy & Responsibility
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	To conduct a field-specific study individually and to complete it with discipline and responsibility.				3
2	To assume duties and responsibilities in a team work as leader or team member and to fulfil them flawlessly.				3

OCCUPATIONAL
Learning to Learn
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	To analyze data and findings in the field of Political Science and International Relations with respect to cause-effect relations and critical perspective.						5
2	To identify gaps in the theory and practice of Political Science and International Relations and to offer solutions for each.						5
3	To develop ideas as to how to use the information related to the field of Political Science and International Relations in professional life.					4

OCCUPATIONAL
Communication & Social
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	To convey information related with the field of Political Science and International Relations by using effective presentation and communication techniques.				3
2	To use field-specific information for creation of various projects, activities and social responsibility programmes.				3
3	To conduct literature review, follow the recent developments and produce written and oral works in a foreign language					4

OCCUPATIONAL
Occupational and/or Vocational
	Programme Learning Outcomes	Level of Contribution
		0	1	2	3	4	5
1	To respect social, cultural, scientific and ethical norms and values in the processing and dissemination of data.				3
2	To follow latest developments in the field and direct personal studies accordingly within the framework of the lifelong learning principle.					4

WORKLOAD & ECTS CREDITS OF THE COURSE UNIT
Workload for Learning & Teaching Activities
Type of the Learning Activites	Learning Activities (# of week)	Duration (hours, h)	Workload (h)
Lecture & In-Class Activities	14	3	42
Preliminary & Further Study	14	5	70
Land Surveying	0	0	0
Group Work	0	0	0
Laboratory	0	0	0
Reading	0	0	0
Assignment (Homework)	0	0	0
Project Work	0	0	0
Seminar	0	0	0
Internship	0	0	0
Technical Visit	0	0	0
Web Based Learning	0	0	0
Implementation/Application/Practice	0	0	0
Practice at a workplace	0	0	0
Occupational Activity	0	0	0
Social Activity	0	0	0
Thesis Work	0	0	0
Field Study	0	0	0
Report Writing	0	0	0
Final Exam	1	1	1
Preparation for the Final Exam	1	20	20
Mid-Term Exam	1	1	1
Preparation for the Mid-Term Exam	1	15	15
Short Exam	0	0	0
Preparation for the Short Exam	0	0	0
TOTAL	32	0	149