Middle East Studies (in English)
- Ending: Examination
- Range: 2C
- Semester: summer
- Year: 2
- Faculty of International Relations
Teachers
Included in study programs
Teaching results
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the politico-economic aspects of the formation of the Middle East region. It focuses on the interconnectedness of the political and economic spheres of selected countries in the region in order to understand the current state of the region. The course consists of two parts. In the first part, students are given an introduction to current issues. In the second part of the exercise, using various interactive methods, students analyse and deepen the knowledge acquired during the course.
Knowledge: After completing the course, the student will be able to better understand the historical context shaping the region as well as the related religious and ethnic issues. The student will be able to understand economic issues such as the importance of natural resources for the region, the basic structure of the economy of Middle Eastern countries, and the issue of international trade cooperation in the region. In this respect, the student will be able to understand the specific economic and political development of selected countries such as Turkey, Egypt, Israel, the Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. The student should also be able to understand the integration of the selected countries of the region in organisations such as OPEC, the Gulf States Council and the Arab League.
Competences: Within the framework of the acquired knowledge, students are able to critically reflect on the issues of Middle Eastern realities. Based on the historical context, they will be able to identify and analyse major historical events and apply them to the current state of Middle Eastern countries from a political and economic perspective.
Skills: Students will improve their communication skills through various forms of interactive assignments. At the same time, through collaborative discussion with the instructor, they will be able to analyze the information acquired with a critical perspective.
Indicative content
Introduction. Historical development of the Middle East region I. Historical development of the Middle East region II. Religious and demographic issues in the Middle East. Natural resources. Republic of Turkey. The Republic of Egypt. Israel. Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iraq. Saudi Arabia. Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates. Islamic Republic of Iran. Regional Integration.
Support literature
CAMMETT, M.: A Political Economy of the Middle East. 4th ed. Routledge, 2015.
CLEVELAND, W. L.: A History of the Modern Middle East. Routledge, 2019.
HAKIMIAN, H.: The Routledge Handbook on the Middle East Economy. Routledge, 2021.
HANIEH, A.: Money, Markets, and Monarchies: The Gulf Cooperation Council and the Political Economy of the Contemporary Middle East. Cambridge University Press, 2018.
MANSFIELD, P.: A History of the Middle East. 5th ed. Penguin Books Ltd, 2019.
SAMI BEN ALI, M.: Economic Development in the Middle East and North Africa. Springer, 2016.
WILSON, R.: Economic Development in the Middle East. 3rd ed. Routledge, 2021.
Syllabus
1. Introduction - definition of the Middle East, geographical conditions and political strategic geopolitical and economic importance of the region. 2. Historical development of the Middle East region I - political and economic development, formation of state formations in the region, key political and economic events of the 20th century. 3. Historical development of the Middle East region II - the Middle East after September 11, 2001, the Arab Spring and internal political changes, armed conflicts in the 21st century, political-military organizations operating in the region, fundamentalist Islam. 4. Religious and demographic issues in the Middle East - ethnic and religious distribution of the region, religion and the economic question (Islamic economic model). 5. Natural resources - basic distribution of natural resources, economic importance of natural resources for the countries of the region, oil shocks. 6. Republic of Turkey - peculiarities of economic and political development, emergence of modern Turkey, economic and political influence of the country, current state of the economy. 7. the Republic of Egypt - peculiarities of economic and political development, the current state of the economy. 8. Israel - peculiarities of economic and political development, circumstances of the formation of the State of Israel, the Israeli-Arab conflict and the Israeli-Palestinian issue and their economic implications, the current state of the economy. 9. Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iraq - peculiarities of economic and political development. 10. Saudi Arabia - peculiarities of economic and political development, economic and political influence of the country, the current state of the economy. 11. Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates - peculiarities of economic and political development of the Gulf countries. 12. Islamic Republic of Iran - peculiarities of economic and political development, pre-revolutionary period, 1979 Islamic Revolution and subsequent political and economic development of Iran, Iran's nuclear program, the issue of anti-Iranian sanctions, the current state of the economy. 13. Regional Integration – OPEC - structure, functioning and objectives, Gulf Cooperation Council - structure, functioning and objectives, Arab League - structure, functioning, objectives and relevance.
Requirements to complete the course
Seminar work 40 %
Final written exam 60 %
Student workload
104 hours, (participation in seminars 26 h, preparation for lessons 26 h, preparation for the exam 52 h)
Language whose command is required to complete the course
English
Date of approval: 10.04.2025
Date of the latest change: 10.04.2025