MES518 POLITICS IN THE LEVANT
| Course Code: | 8320518 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | Middle East Studies |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Graduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Assoc.Prof.Dr. MURAT TINAS |
| Offered Semester: | Fall and Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This course aims to improve students’ understanding of Middle East politics in general and to provide a comprehensive introduction to contemporary politics in the Levant as it is generally named as core Middle East. For this aim, while providing an overview of the history of the Levant (specifically Lebanon, Syria and Jordan) since the Ottoman Empire till today, the course intends to touch upon the formation of the modern political system in the region, state structures in the Levant, workings of the government, major political-economic-social developments, state-society relations, nature and working of society and confessional system, role of different alliances at domestic and regional level and the impacts of regional and global developments in the region.
Course Content
While providing an overview of the history of the Levant since the Ottoman Empire till today, the course intends to touch upon the formation of the modern political system in the region, state structures in the Levant, workings of the government, major political-economic-social developments, state-society relations, nature and working of society and confessional system, role of different alliances at domestic and regional level and the impacts of regional and global developments in the region.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the semester, students who complete the course satisfactorily are expected to be both familiar with the major literature on contemporary politics in the Levant and examine the unique nature and dynamics of the regional politics and current issues in the Levantine region.
Learning Outcomes:
- Examine Middle East Politics and analyze developments of the regional politics, social and economic structures that have particular relevance to the Levant
- Discuss and analyze the history of the Levant and major historical issues
- Explore regional states’ domestic and foreign policy through examining its basic internal and external political and economic dynamics
- Critically assess the role of the Levant in regional and global politics.