Course summary

Immerse yourself in debates about international politics, international organisations and how they influence relationships between nations. The MA in Politics and International Relations of the Middle East will equip you with the skills to challenge conventional thinking and analyse your own views about some of the present-day challenges in the Middle East and North African region. The course provides a rigorous, research-driven, interdisciplinary approach to studying the contemporary Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It aims to provide advanced knowledge and understanding of the dynamics – including cultural and local political and ideological factors – which shape the contemporary international relations of the region. You will learn to evaluate concepts, theories, and paradigms, drawing lessons from real-world studies informed by rigorous qualitative investigations and an exploration of the underlying ethical issues. The MA draws on the research and teaching strengths of our Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (IMEIS) and the wider School of Government and International Affairs. Your learning will be informed by a wealth of ongoing research by experts working at the forefront of their field. Core modules in the International Politics of the Middle East, the Non-Arab States of the Middle East, and Researching the Global South form the foundation of the course. The remaining modules can be tailored to suit your interests, with options spanning topics from Global Governance to Ideologies and Political Thought. You can also choose to explore a contrasting region of the world in greater depth or study Arabic. These interests can be further developed through the researching and writing of the dissertation. On completion, graduates are well placed to pursue careers in international and non-governmental organisations, politics, and the civil service. Others move into the wider fields of journalism, teaching, business, and research. Course structure Core modules: International Politics of the Middle East familiarises you with key concepts and theories in the international politics of the Middle East, addressing the complex nature of the politics of this region from a domestic, regional and international perspective. Covering a range of theoretical approaches and disciplinary debates the module addresses the security, economic, identity, and politics dynamics of the region. Non-Arab States of the Middle East explores the three non-Arab states - Iran, Turkey, and Israel - that now exercise a disproportionate influence over the political, strategic, and economic trajectories of the region than never before. The module addresses conceptually and empirically the political, social, and economic structures of each of these states, and how in turn, these structures impact upon their regional behaviour and global standing. Core themes explored in this module include ideology, religious authority, civil-military relations, the role of civil society (including gender-based movements), political economy, and regional alignment. Researching the Global South engages you with key practical, theoretical, methodological, and ethical issues that research in and on the Global South entails. It introduces you to social and political science research methods most commonly used to analyse political, social, and economic developments in the Global South, drawing on examples and conceptual understandings from all branches of social sciences including sociology, political science, geography, and anthropology. The Dissertation is a substantial piece of independent work in a related aspect politics and/or international relations as it relates to the Middle East. The 10,000-word dissertation is the culmination of the MA, bringing together elements of learning from across the course.