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POL42580

Academic Year 2025/2026

Arab Perceptions of Conflict (POL42580)

Subject:
Politics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Politics & Int Relations
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Stephanie Dornschneider-Elkink
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Conflict research on the Arab world often relies on English-language sources or numerical data. Complementing such approaches, this module emphasizes conflict analysis using Arabic-language sources - including interviews, speeches, news outlets, social media, and blogs. While knowledge of Arabic is not required (all readings will be in English), the module centers on research grounded in the region’s native language and context.

We will explore major topics in Arab conflict at conceptual, theoretical, and empirical levels, with special attention to local perspectives. In addition to weekly readings of scholarly literature, students will follow English-language Arab news outlets (e.g. Al Jazeera English, Al-Ahram Weekly, Asharq al-Awsat) and connect this material to ongoing conflicts and theoretical debates. The goal of this module is to equip students with an understanding of how to analyze conflict in the Arab world using regionally grounded approaches.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module, students will be able to:
• Understand and asses multiple theoretical perspectives on conflict in the Arab world.
• Analyze regional conflicts using empirical material derived from Arabic-language sources (in English translation).
• Evaluate how language, media, and local perceptions shape understandings of conflict in Arab settings.
• Compare and contrast Western and regional perspectives on major conflicts in the Arab world.
• Demonstrate awareness of the limitations and potential biases involved in using English-language versus Arabic-language sources.
• Construct arguments that speak to general conflict research.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Autonomous Student Learning

200
Total

224

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is designed around active and task-based learning to foster deep engagement with both theoretical concepts and real-world cases. A variety of teaching methods will be used, including short lectures, group work, and writing activities. Students will participate in debates, case-based and problem-based learning exercises, and deliver presentations on key conflict topics. These formats are intended to develop analytical skills, encourage collaborative inquiry, and create space for diverse perspectives. Through this active learning approach, students will not only absorb material but also engage with it in meaningful, practice-oriented ways.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Individual Project: Presentation Week 12 Graded No
10
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay-writiing Week 6 Graded No
30
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Final Paper Week 12 Graded No
50
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Weekly debates on readings Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 33 Mon 09:00 - 10:50
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