Contemporary Middle East & Central Asia

Subject 110-081 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Intensive
For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 hours
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment (including non-contact time): 120 hours
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Contact

A/Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh
shahrama@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview: This subject focuses on the contemporary political landscape of the Middle East and Central Asia. It explores the interplay of international relations and domestic politics, especially in the wake of the war on terror. It traces the challenge of Islamism with reference to the Arab-Israeli conflict and implications of Iran’s growing assertiveness in the Persian Gulf and Central Asia. Of particular interest is popular perceptions of the United States in the region, as well as the disconnect between the people and the political elite.
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject should...
  • have a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the political systems in the Middle East and Central Asia;
  • have a solid appreciation of the role of great powers in the region;
  • have a solid grasp of the geo-political issues facing the newly established states of Central Asia;
  • have an understanding of the interconnectedness of patterns of conflict in the Middle East and Central Asia;
  • have an understanding of Islamic political and social mechanisms in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Assessment: A 1000 word seminar paper (due during the semester) 20% and a 4000 word take-home exam paper (due 2 March) 80%.
Prescribed Texts:
  • Kylie Baxter and Shahram Akbarzadeh, US Foreign Policy in the Middle East. London: Routledge, 2008
  • Shahram Akbarzadeh, Uzbekistan and the United States: Authoritarianism, Islamism and Washington's Security Agenda . London: Zed books, 2005
Recommended Texts:
  • Shahram Akbarzadeh and Benjamin MacQueen: Islam and Human Rights (London: Routledge, 2008)
  • Olivier Roy, The Failure of Political Islam (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1994).
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Students who successfully complete this subject should
  • Develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the political systems in the Middle East and Central Asia
  • Gain a solid appreciation of the role of great powers in the region
  • Demonstrate a solid grasp of the geo-political issues facing the newly established states of Central Asia
  • Improve oral skills by participating in seminars;
  • Develop improved writing skills by producing a well-documented take-home exam paper.
Related Course(s): Master of International Politics
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Islamic Studies
Islamic Studies

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