The course aims (1) to provide an advanced knowledge of politics and IR of the Middle East by providing the underlying historical, political and economic factors; and (2) to provide students with a variety of academic approaches to understand the complexities of the region. By end of the seminar students (3) are keen on scholarly works on the region; and (4) on the main related conceptual debates and empirical resources within the field of Middle East studies that enable them to determine own perspectives, hypothesis, ideas and analysis about the Middle East; and (5) to locate and review the region within broader debates and scholarship of world politics. Last but not least the seminar aims (6) to improve the written and oral skills of the students through academic assignments and class discussions

The seminar attempts to provide an in-depth theoretical and empirical knowledge to the politics and IR of the Middle East since the World War II. The course will focus on the study of central topics and themes that have been shaping the modern Middle East, including State formation and colonial rule; political economy and development; democratization and political Islam; foreign policy and great power interests. Moreover, the seminar will shed light upon recent revolutionary upheavals (Arab Spring), and future prospects of liberalization and democratization, and power constellations in the region (regional order).
The main goal of this course, accordingly, is to present a comprehensive and current outlook of the entire region as a distinctive political region, despite the many critical variances within the region. Case studies of individual countries will be introduced in each week.