State and Society in North Africa and the Mediterranean Region
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The objective of this course is to give students a more nuanced and complete understanding of the MENA region, its states, and its peoples. Specifically, the course provides the basic tools for the knowledge of the politics of the Middle Eastern states, with particular reference to the study of regional social, political, and security issues.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to articulate informed and coherent arguments about the main traits of MENA politics by referring to the relevant scholarly literature. Further, students will be able to explain who are the main national, regional, and extra-regional actors that count and what are the main logics for contemporary conflicts and tensions in the MENA region. In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop their own professional thinking in this field. Students will acquire a top-down and a bottom-up perspective on the major historical processes and developments in the modern Middle East; to formulate her/his arguments clearly (by oral presentation and class discussion); to evaluate and compare between events and processes across the time; begin to offer a critical view of the academic literature.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
The course explores the politics of North Africa and the Middle East (MENA) focusing on country cases. Topics to be discussed include: Arab nationalism, authoritarianism, Political Islam, migrations, social movements, military regimes, contemporary debates about state and society in the region after the Arab uprisings. During the course students will be asked to actively participate in class exercises and discussions, reading and analysing articles and videos published by International and Arab media outlets.
Prerequisites for admission
A basic knowledge of International Relations during the 19th and the 20th Century is suggested.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons, group activities, class discussions, exercises, presentations, final paper.
Teaching Resources
Required texts:
Textbooks and articles, for attending and non-attending students.
Attending students are asked to choose one of the textbooks below:
Cleveland W., Burton M. A history of the Modern Middle East, Hachette, UK, 2016.
Owen R. State, Power and Politics in the Making of the Modern Middle East, Routledge, 2002.
Ayubi, Nazih N. Over-stating the Arab state: Politics and society in the Middle East. Bloomsbury Publishing, 1996.
Guazzone L. The Arab State and the Neo-liberal globalization: The restructuring of State power in the Middle East, Garnet, 2009.
The list of additional articles and books will be communicated during the course.
Textbooks and articles, for attending and non-attending students.
Attending students are asked to choose one of the textbooks below:
Cleveland W., Burton M. A history of the Modern Middle East, Hachette, UK, 2016.
Owen R. State, Power and Politics in the Making of the Modern Middle East, Routledge, 2002.
Ayubi, Nazih N. Over-stating the Arab state: Politics and society in the Middle East. Bloomsbury Publishing, 1996.
Guazzone L. The Arab State and the Neo-liberal globalization: The restructuring of State power in the Middle East, Garnet, 2009.
The list of additional articles and books will be communicated during the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examinations are intended to assess the subsequent abilities:
a) Present the main topics of the course in a clear and correct way.
b) Apply the acquired knowledge to contemporary issues regarding the area.
c) Analyze critically how domestic and international factors explain political change or the lack of it in the region.
The attending students will complete at least two exercises, write a final paper on a book or an article chosen from the provided reading list and take an oral exam on the course program.
The three written exercises during the course are scheduled as follows: the first one at the beginning of the course, the second at the midterm, the last at the end of the course.
The final evaluation will be based on: for attending students (at least two exercises and the final paper): (1) active participation to class and group activities; (2) the final paper on a book or an article chosen from the provided reading list (40%); and (3) an oral exam on one of the suggested textbooks (60%).
For non-attending students, the final evaluation will be based on: an oral exam on two of the suggested textbooks and an article or a book chosen from the provided reading list.
a) Present the main topics of the course in a clear and correct way.
b) Apply the acquired knowledge to contemporary issues regarding the area.
c) Analyze critically how domestic and international factors explain political change or the lack of it in the region.
The attending students will complete at least two exercises, write a final paper on a book or an article chosen from the provided reading list and take an oral exam on the course program.
The three written exercises during the course are scheduled as follows: the first one at the beginning of the course, the second at the midterm, the last at the end of the course.
The final evaluation will be based on: for attending students (at least two exercises and the final paper): (1) active participation to class and group activities; (2) the final paper on a book or an article chosen from the provided reading list (40%); and (3) an oral exam on one of the suggested textbooks (60%).
For non-attending students, the final evaluation will be based on: an oral exam on two of the suggested textbooks and an article or a book chosen from the provided reading list.
SPS/13 - AFRICAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Acconcia Giuseppe
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