POL2634 Middle East PoliticsBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs BANKING AND INSURANCE MANAGEMENT (TURKISH)General Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
BANKING AND INSURANCE MANAGEMENT (TURKISH)
Associate TR-NQF-HE: Level 5 QF-EHEA: Short Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 5

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
POL2634 Middle East Politics Fall 3 0 3 6
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level: Associate (Short Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Hybrid
Course Coordinator : Assoc. Prof. ESRA ALBAYRAKOĞLU
Recommended Optional Program Components: None
Course Objectives: The aim of this course is to introduce students to the major political structures and questions in Middle Eastern politics. The first section examines the origins of Middle Eastern states and introduces you to critical structures like religion, tribes, and the family. In the second section, we examine why authoritarianism has persisted in the region, and how it is linked to other issues like nationalism, militarism, and rentierism. The third section assesses the degree to which civil society and social movements—including the revolutionary movements of the ‘Arab Spring’—have challenged longstanding regimes and state structures. And in the fourth and final section, we consider the future of Middle Eastern politics by evaluating some of the lingering concerns and the emerging prospects for liberalization and reform.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
The students who have succeeded in this course;
I. Analyze the Middle East utilizing both historical and theoretical concepts
II. Understand the role of ideology and religion, oil in the Middle East
III. Compare and contrast Middle East countries’ foreign policies
IV. Evaluate the economic, cultural and demographic changes in the Middle East
V. Recognize national and international factors in Middle East foreign policy making process

Course Content

Ancient civilizations; the role of religion; the legacies of colonialism; the Middle East regional system, the impact of the international system on the middle east, the challenge of security in the region.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) An Introduction to the Middle East
2) Ancient Middle East: Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Phoenicians.
3) Great Empires: Persian Empire, Carthage, Rome Empire, Egypt and Hellenism.
4) Religion in the Middle East: Christianity and Judaism
5) Rise of Islam: The “Golden Age”, Rashidun Caliphate and Split in Islam.
6) Spread of Islam: Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid and Ayyubid Dynasties.
7) Reconquista in Spain, Andalusia and The Crusades.
8) Mongol, Seljuq and Byzantine Empires influences in the Middle East.
9) Rise of the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman’s influence in the Middle East
10) I. World War, Interwar Period, Second World War and the consequences: Impact of the war on the Jewish public and the region, increasing sympathy towards the Jewish public and Zionism and twice Promised Land.
11) Modern Middle East: Historic moments, assessments of specific events.
12) September 11 Attacks: Foreign Policies of the Middle East States, US Post-September 11.
13) The new world order, new approaches and analysis of current issues.
14) Review

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: William L. Cleveland – Modern Middle East History
Louise Fawcett - International Relations of the Middle East
Raymond Hinnebusch & Anoushiravan Ehteshami - The Foreign Policies of the Middle East States
Ian J. Bickerton - The Arab-Israeli Conflict
Laura Zittrain Eisenberg & Neil Caplan- Negotiating Arab - Israeli Peace
David S. Sorenson - Interpreting the Middle East
Robert D. Lee – Religion and Politics in the Middle East
Peter Mansfield – A History of the Middle East
Bernard Lewis – The Middle East
Benjamin MacQueen - An Introduction to Middle East Politics
References: William L. Cleveland – Modern Middle East History
Louise Fawcett - International Relations of the Middle East
Raymond Hinnebusch & Anoushiravan Ehteshami - The Foreign Policies of the Middle East States
Ian J. Bickerton - The Arab-Israeli Conflict
Laura Zittrain Eisenberg & Neil Caplan- Negotiating Arab - Israeli Peace
David S. Sorenson - Interpreting the Middle East
Robert D. Lee – Religion and Politics in the Middle East
Peter Mansfield – A History of the Middle East
Bernard Lewis – The Middle East
Benjamin MacQueen - An Introduction to Middle East Politics

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 14 % 20
Midterms 1 % 40
Final 1 % 40
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 40
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Workload
Course Hours 14 42
Study Hours Out of Class 14 104
Midterms 1 2
Final 1 2
Total Workload 150

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) To have the ability to understand the basic concepts of Banking and Insurance and to be able to use them effectively in business.
2) To have the ability to work individually or in a team when needed on matters related to his/her profession and to follow and apply the developments in his/her sector.
3) To be equipped with the necessary knowledge to carry out the legal responsibilities and to follow the related regulations in their sector.
4) To understand the importance of banking and insurance from the point of the state’s economy and enterprises and to express this importance properly.
5) To be able to use the computer as well as the profession requires and to be able to do work, accumulate knowledge and to use this knowledge relevantly and effectively.
6) To make them gain the ability to find practical solutions for the problems of daily commercial activities and to take correct decisions.
7) To be able to take responsibilities in banking and insurance sector and more generally in the finance sector and to be qualified to start his/her own business after the legal requirements have been met.
8) To have the competency to carry out the accountancy related to banking and insurance.
9) To have the competency to build effective customer relations and to have effective communication and persuasion skills.
10) To be able to determine the accumulated knowledge druring the education in line with the cause and effect relations and to be able to have the necessary professional qualifications to know where, when and how to use his/her knowledge.