POL30730

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).