PLT2490

Politics of the Middle East

Colin Rubenstein

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton and Peninsula

Objectives This subject aims to promote an understanding by students of the complexities of contemporary Middle East politics, prospects for orderly political change and further democratisation. It does so through analysing the main countries in the region, focusing on their political culture, development and key issues they confront; examining protracted regional conflicts and relationships between major countries; considering the implications of international politics for the region; and by reflecting on the conditions for war and peace, and the prospects for political reform.

Synopsis This subject examines aspects of contemporary Middle East politics encompassing both the Arab and the non-Arab worlds. The political culture, development and processes of key countries will be analysed. Regional relationships and conflicts will be examined (particularly the Gulf Wars, the Lebanon War and the Arab/Israeli conflict), and the implications for international politics will also be considered.

Assessment Essay (3000 words): 40%
* Tutorial presentation and participation: 10%
* Examination (3 hours): 50%

Recommended texts

Anderson R and others Politics and change in the Middle East 2nd edn, Prentice- Hall, 1994
Field M Inside the Arab world Harvard U P, 1994
Kedourie E Politics of the Middle East OUP, 1992
Laqueur W and Rubin B (eds) The Israel-Arab reader rev. edn, Penguin, 1995
Peretz D The Middle East today Praeger, 1983