Critical Readings in Kurdish Studies
| Module title | Critical Readings in Kurdish Studies |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARAM246 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Christine Robins (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 5 |
|---|
Module description
This module will develop the critical reading skills, which are essential for a successful dissertation and the knowledge of Kurdish studies as a field. The module is structured around guided independent reading and will focus on texts relevant to the MA in Kurdish studies. It is a core module for this MA but is open to students on others – there are no pre-requisites or co-requisites, though we expect that some of the texts read by individuals may be in Kurdish, Persian Arabic or other European languages. Initial readings will focus on key texts in the field, leading to reflection on its evolution from Orientalist roots to a broad field of study. Later readings will offer flexibility, giving students the chance to explore personal interests; it is expected that preference will be given to texts (in the broadest sense) produced by Kurdish scholars, writers and artists.
Students will meet with the course convenor in week 1 and there will be 3 workshops following this, in weeks 4, 8 and 11, where students will present their reflections on their readings and engage in discussion. They will also have 4x 1 hour meetings with tutors for intensive reflection and discussion of the texts and of their learning journey. The course convenor and tutors will guide the students in their readings, but it is the students’ responsibility to identify specific areas of interest, to engage with tutors and their peers, and to take responsibility for their progress.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The primary aim of this module is to acquaint you with core texts of Kurdish studies and to help you read them critically, developing research skills that allow you to investigate topics and readings that may be of use in constructing a viable dissertation and to develop key disciplinary skills that may contribute to the wider MA programme. This module may not be used for direct research on individual MA dissertation topics; however, it may be used to explore topics of wider interest for a dissertation. For example, you may wish to develop your knowledge of specific subjects, which are not fully explored elsewhere in the curriculum, or to read specific texts (such as literary texts) with critical discussion.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate an advanced knowledge of core texts in Kurdish studies and of the development of this field of study;
- 2. demonstrate an advanced and critical knowledge of the texts you have chosen to study.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. demonstrate analytically how to contextualize the readings, theories and approaches within the wider field of Middle East and Islamic Studies;
- 4. undertake research effectively, construct a bibliography and ground one's research within the field of Kurdish Studies.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. demonstrate understanding and analysis of research undertaken, in oral and written forms;
- 6. demonstrate the absorption, critical analysis of readings and approaches undertaken.
Syllabus plan
It is anticipated that the course will cover some of the themes below:
- Definitions: How can we define ‘Kurdish Studies’ and ((given the Kurds’ unique position as a stateless nation) what is its place in the curriculum?
- The Orientalist origins of ‘Kurdology’ and the arrival of Kurdish scholars
- The recent expansion of the field across disciplines
- Reading Kurdish texts (either written from a Kurdish perspective or in Kurdish language) in the field of: literature, history, anthropology, cultural studies, political science, gender studies, religious studies.
- Discussion of these texts within their own context and within academic contexts
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 139 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 11 | 1 hour initial group meeting; (4 x 1 hour) Engagement and discussion of readings, at times agreed directly with the tutor; (3 x 2 hour) meeting with course convenor and group in weeks 4, 8 and 11 of term; You will make a presentation to this group |
| Guided Independent Study | 81 | Investigation of sources and research |
| Guided Independent Study | 32 | Preparing and presenting the formative assessment and writing the final summative paper |
| Guided Independent Study | 26 | Utilising major web-based resources |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation of critical reflection on readings | 15 minutes | 1-2: 5-6 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 100 | 3,000 words | 1-4 | Written |
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 | 1-4 | August/Sept |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Kreyenbroek, Philip and Stefan Sperl (eds.) (1992) The Kurds: A Contemporary Overview. London: Routledge.
Natali, Denise (2006) The Kurds and the State: Evolving National Identity in Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press.
Mojab, Shahrzad (ed) (2001) Women of a Non-State Nation: The Kurds. Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Press.
Scalbert-Yücel, C. and Le Ray, M. (2006) ‘Knowledge, ideology and power. Deconstructing Kurdish Studies’, European Journal of Turkish Studies online
Soane, E.B. (1918) To Mesopotamia and Kurdistan in Disguise.
Stansfield, Gareth (2003) Iraqi Kurdistan: Political Development and Emergent Democracy. London: RoutledgeCurzon.
Stansfield, Gareth and Shareef, Mohammed (eds) (2016) The Kurdish Question Revisited. London: Hurst.
Kreyenbroek, Philip and Stefan Sperl (eds.) (1992) The Kurds: A Contemporary Overview. London: Routledge.
Natali, Denise (2006) The Kurds and the State: Evolving National Identity in Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press.
Mojab, Shahrzad (ed) (2001) Women of a Non-State Nation: The Kurds. Costa Mesa, CA: Mazda Press.
Scalbert-Yücel, C. and Le Ray, M. (2006) ‘Knowledge, ideology and power. Deconstructing Kurdish Studies’, European Journal of Turkish Studies online
Soane, E.B. (1918) To Mesopotamia and Kurdistan in Disguise.
Stansfield, Gareth (2003) Iraqi Kurdistan: Political Development and Emergent Democracy. London: RoutledgeCurzon.
Stansfield, Gareth and Shareef, Mohammed (eds) (2016) The Kurdish Question Revisited. London: Hurst.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
Kurdish Studies Network website https://kurdishstudiesnetwork.net/
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Relevant Journals include: Kurdish Studies, European Journal of Turkish Studies, British Journal of Middle East Studies, International Journal of Middle East Studies
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 09/12/2020 |
| Last revision date | 02/03/2023 |
