Political Economy of the Gulf
| Module title | Political Economy of the Gulf |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARAM198 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Marc Valeri (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
This module critically explores the relationship between politics and economy in the Gulf region (Arabian Peninsula and Iran), providing an in-depth survey of key dynamics and debates that shape the political economy of the region. Special attention will be given to the impact of oil, the question of rentierism, labour market issues, the relationship between business and politics, the growing political and economic role of the Gulf countries in the broader Middle East, the Gulf's changing place in the global economy, the water and environment challenges, and the question of (lack of) political and economic reform and of the transition towards a post-oil Gulf.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The main objective of the module is to provide you with specialised knowledge and critical understanding of the main themes and dynamics in the political economy of the Gulf, at the domestic, regional and global levels. This module aims particularly at exploring how politics and economy inform each other, at developing an understanding of processes of economic change in the Gulf monarchies and Iran, and of the way these processes have shaped the existing political realities of the broader Middle East. The module will thus equip you to analyse and make informed and critical evaluation of the contemporary politics and economy of the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Identify and critically assess the main issues in the political economy of the Gulf, including the politics of economic development; the main economic factors in domestic and regional politics; the political economy of oil; and the changing role of the Gulf in the global economy.
- 2. Locate, appraise and use main sources of information and data relating to the Gulf countries
- 3. Use different analytical approaches and concepts towards the study of the Gulf's political economies and social systems, and to make informed judgements regarding the similarities and contrasts of different Gulf polities.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Analyse and assess academic texts and prevailing notions critically;
- 5. Connect political and economic factors and dynamics in their domestic-international linkages;
- 6. Draw from broader concepts in political economy and to compare the Gulf with other regions of the world;
- 7. Embrace a multi-disciplinary approach in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Demonstrate skills of reasoned and supported argumentation in writing and in oral presentation;
- 9. Demonstrate skills of independent research and teamwork;
- 10. Demonstrate skills of finding, analysing and synthesising information from a range of source
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
Politics of oil and rent in the Gulf: Economic structure, political effects
Political economy of Saudi Arabia
Political economy of Iran
The 'Dubai model' and political economy of the smaller Gulf states
Labour market and citizenship
Business and politics in the Gulf
The question of water and environment in the Arabian Peninsula
Gulfization of the Middle East political economy
The GCC states in the global economy
Diversification and economic reform: Towards a post-oil Gulf?
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 278 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | Lectures/Seminars |
| Guided independent study | 110 | Reading for lectures/seminars |
| Guided independent study | 70 | Preparation and writing of summative essay |
| Guided independent study | 70 | Preparation of 2 x individual presentations |
| Guided independent study | 28 | Further reading and reflection |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class discussions | Weekly | 1-7; 9 | Verbal feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 0 | 50 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50 | 5,000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback |
| Individual presentations (x2) | 50 | 15-20 minutes each + 1,000-word document summarising main points | 1-9 | Verbal and written feedbacks |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (5,000 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Individual presentations (x2) | Individual presentations (2 x 15-20 minutes) - see re-assessment note below | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
For the purposes of re-assessment, the number of presentations depends on how many were missed (i.e. 2 presentations missed means 2 separate presentations that must be re-assessed).
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Achcar, G. The People Want. A Radical Exploration of the Arab Uprising (London: Saqi, 2013)
Beblawi, H. and G. Luciani. The Rentier State (London: Croom Helm, 1987)
Cammett, M., I. Diwan, A. Richards and J. Waterbury. A Political Economy of the Middle East (Oxford: Westview, 4th edition, 2015)
Crystal, J. Oil and Politics in the Gulf: Rulers and Merchants in Kuwait and Qatar (Cambridge University Press, 1995)
Dresch, P. and J. Piscatori (eds.), Monarchies and Nations: Globalization and Identity in the Arab States of the Gulf (London: I.B. Tauris, 2005)
Gause, F. G. Oil Monarchies: Domestic and Security Challenges in the Arab Gulf States (New York: Council on Foreign Relations Press, 1994)
Hanieh, A. Money, Markets and Monarchies. The Gulf Cooperation Council and the Political Economy of the Contemporary Middle East (Cambridge University Press, 2018)
Henry, C. M. and R. Springborg. Globalization and the Politics of Development in the Middle East (Cambridge University Press, 2nd edition, 2010)
Hertog, S. Princes, Brokers, and Bureaucrats: Oil and the State in Saudi Arabia (Ithaca [NY]: Cornell University Press, 2010)
Keshavarzian, Bazaar and State in Iran: The Politics of the Tehran Marketplace (Cambridge University Press, 2007)
Khalaf, A., O. Alshehabi and A. Hanieh. Transit States. Labour, Migration and Citizenship in the Gulf (London: Pluto Press, 2014)
Naqeeb (al-), K. Society and State in the Gulf and Arab Peninsula (London: Routledge, 1990)
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Middle East Economic Digest (MEED)
Gulf States Newsletter
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2009 |
| Last revision date | 21/08/2019 |