This discussion is a chance to reflect on the course objectives and content we covered in the last eight weeks. Please address any of the following prompts and reply to classmates:
a) What are two greatest points or arguments you engaged during our course? Which did you find most eye-opening and useful?
b) Which reading did you find most useful during this class? How was it useful? This can be either an assigned reading or something you discovered while working on your research. If the latter, please provide a full citation so we can expand our libraries.
c) Which Course Objective do you find the most important for your future research? Why?
d) What’s next for you? What classes are you taking and what topics do you hope to research in the future?
Course Objectives
After successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
CO1: Examine key historical events that shaped Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) politics.
CO2: Analyze MENA’s role within globalization, development, and communications technology.
CO3: Evaluate democracy in the MENA.
CO4: Distinguish the role of foreign states in the MENA.
CO5: Deconstruct the role of non-state actors within MENA politics.
Week 1
CO-1: Examine key historical events that shaped Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) politics.
LO-1.1 Identify the geographical or geopolitical region that comprises the “Middle East” and compare definitions of “Middle East.”
LO-1.2 Contextualize the modern Middle East within the background of imperialism and colonization.
Week 2
CO-1: Examine key historical events that shaped Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) politics.
LO-1.3 Identify key historical events that shaped the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
LO-1.4 Describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Middle Eastern economy and security.
Week 3
CO-2: Analyze MENA’s role within globalization, development, and communications technology.
LO-2.1 Define globalization and identify specific aspects of globalization in the Middle East.
LO-2.2 Debate whether globalization leads to development in the Middle East.
Week 4
CO-3: Evaluate democracy in the MENA.
LO-3.1 Identify debates about the status of democracy in the Middle East and North Africa.
LO-3.2 Discuss whether democracy is on the rise in the Middle East and North Africa.
LO-3.3 Assess the outlook for democracy since the Arab Spring
Week 5
CO-4: Distinguish the role of foreign states in the MENA.
LO-4.1 Engage debates about the role of the US in the MENA.
LO-4.2 Determine the role Western states play in MENA politics.
LO-4.3 Determine the role of China in the Middle East’s future, economy, and security.
Week 6
CO-5: Deconstruct the role of non-state actors within MENA politics.
LO-5.1 Identify the role of different actors in Arab Spring uprisings.
LO-5.2 Discuss the role of social media in the Arab Spring.
LO-5.3 Determine the causes and effects of uprisings.
LO-5.4 Conduct a PESTEL analysis on a specific MENA state
Week 7
CO-5: Deconstruct the role of non-state actors within MENA politics.
LO-5.4 Determine what role violent non-state actors such as terrorist groups played in sparking the Arab Spring (or rather, what roles they did not play).
LO-5.5 Discuss the complicated relationships between non-state groups and states in the MENA.
Week 8
CO-2: Analyze MENA’s role within globalization, development, and communications technology.
CO-5: Deconstruct the role of non-state actors within MENA politics.
LO-2.3 Compose a policy brief addressed a global leader urging action on three Middle Eastern security issues.
LO-5.6 Indicate which non-state actors warrant attention to policy makers.
