POL30730 Political Activism in the Middle East

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module introduces students to political activism in the Middle East. Many events like the Arab Spring or the rise of ISIS have emphasized the importance of non-state actors in the Middle East. This module explores both violent and nonviolent activism since the emergence of the modern state system. First, we discuss how political activism (beyond the Arab World) has been studied by academic scholars, and how it has developed in the Middle East during the last century. Then we turn to particular cases that include actors such as religious movements (e.g. Muslim Brotherhood), trade unions and syndicates (e.g. the UGTT in Tunisia), human rights groups (e.g. the Nadeem Center in Egypt or the AMDH in Morocco), opposition parties (e.g. the New Wafd), and violent groups (e.g. al-Qaida and ISIS). This is an interactive module: students will participate in group assignments, including debates, a mini conference, and simulated negotiations related to a current conflict (e.g. the war in Syria).

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

- understand different types of political activism in the Middle East
- compare non-state actors across the region
- evaluate contemporary cases through appropriate theoretical frameworks
- participate in public debates
- write a co-authored essay

Indicative Module Content:

- the emergence of the modern Middle East
- origins and outcomes of the Arab Spring
- royal exceptionalism
- nonviolent resistance
- political violence
- terrorism
- the Syrian war
- the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

176
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- weekly lectures
- weekly debates and simulations (based on lectures)
- mid-term essay (based on a debate or a simulation) 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
POL30450 - Pol Activism in the MiddleEast


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: weekly debates Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No

20

 No
Group Work Assignment: essay Week 8 Graded No

30

 No
Exam (In-person): final exam in the RDS during the UCD exam period End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% Yes

50

 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

We will discuss your essays in a lecture. Related power point slides will be available on Brightspace. You will be asked to read and comment on the essays of other students/groups.