Spaces of Domination and Resistance in the Middle-East
| Module title | Spaces of Domination and Resistance in the Middle-East |
|---|---|
| Module code | ARA2176 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Clemence Scalbert Yucel (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
|---|
Module description
In this module you will explore the spatial dynamics of domination and resistance in the contemporary Middle-East. The module combines theoretical discussions on the understanding of space, space and place making, and their relation to power, with in-depth discussions of various cases from around the Middle-East and North-Africa. The module covers themes such as colonialism and nationalism, development and neoliberalism, cityscapes, migrations, public and private spaces, environment, and nature. No prior knowledge or experience is needed. The module is aimed at students wishing to broaden their understanding of the Middle Eastern societies and politics through a spatial perspective and to those wishing to discuss space related issues in the context of the Middle East. It is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways as the discussions of space and power build on geography, anthropology, political sciences but also history and literary studies. As such the module is relevant to students in both social sciences, geography, and humanities.
Module aims - intentions of the module
In this module, you will gain an in-depth and nuanced understanding of the dynamics of space and place making in the Middle-East and their relation to power. You will become versed in a variety of theories from human and critical geography, anthropology, and politics. You will also engage deeply with the discussion of the spatial dynamics of power in the context of the Middle East and North Africa. In so doing you will explore a broad range of themes including colonialism and nationalism, development and neoliberalism, migrations and mobility, public and private spaces, citiscapes, environment, and nature. You will gain a familiarity with works that are important in both Middle Eastern Studies and geography and social sciences. Through active learning, you will also develop skills that are widely applicable beyond these disciplines, namely critical thinking and analysis, argumentation, presenting skills, and academic writing.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate understanding of the dynamics of space making in their relation to practices of domination and resistance
- 2. Identify and assess the political, economic, environmental dynamics of the construction and use of space in the Middle East and North Africa
- 3. Evaluate different theoretical and methodological approaches developed in the study of space and power in the Middle East
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Analyse and assess academic texts critically
- 5. Analyse, distinguish a range of sources and methods including academic writing, maps and images, works of art, fictions and memoirs.
- 6. Apply a multi-disciplinary approach in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of space and power.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Assess and review a wide range of literature and material
- 8. Engage in independent study and group work
- 9. Plan and produce work to a deadline
- 10. Develop presentation skills in a variety of presentation formats
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:
- Spaces of Colonialism
- Engineering the territory of the nation-state
- Landscapes of development and neo-liberalism
- Cityscapes
- Heritages and Spaces of Memory
- Geographies of mobilities and containment: beyond walls and camps
- Tahrir square and Gezi park: resisting in the public spaces
- A place called home: a private space of resistance?
- Global warming and transformation of energy landscape
- The construction and predation of nature in the Middle East
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 22 | Lecture (1 hour) followed by seminar (1 hour) |
| Guided Independent Study | 44 | Weekly reading (4 hours per week) |
| Guided Independent Study | 11 | Class Preparation (1 hour per week) |
| Guided Independent Study | 36 | Essay Preparation (20 hours reading+16 hours writing) |
| Guided Independent Study | 37 | Project Preparation (20 hours researching+ 17 hours preparing project/presentation/writing) |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Discussion in Seminar | Weekly, during the seminar | 1-8 | Oral |
| Project Presentation | One 5 minutes presentation on the project (500 words equivalent) | 1-10 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 0 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 35 | 1250 words | 1-9 | Written |
| Project | 35 | Project (students may choose either written work of 1250 words or 10 minutes presentation in class, depending on the project, to be determined with module convenor). Project details will be agreed with module convenor; it can include, but is not limited to: photo essay, map essay, film review, video work, podcast, fiction, play. | 1-10 | Written, or oral and written depending on the project chosen (to be determined with module convenor) |
| Class presentation | 30 | 7 minutes (700 words equivalent) | 1-10 | Oral and written |
| 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 (2000 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Project | Project (2000 words or 15 minutes presentation) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Class presentation | Essay (700 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Alan, M. (2017) Under Osman's tree: The Ottoman Empire, Egypt, and environmental history.
Amineh, M. P. (2007) The Greater Middle East in global politics: social science perspectives on the changing geography of the world politics. Boston: Brill.
Davis, D. K. (2007) Resurrecting the Granary of Rome: Environmental History and French Colonial Expansion in North Africa. Athens, Oh.: Ohio University Press.
Davis, D. K. & Burke, E. (eds.) (2011) Environmental Imaginaries of the Middle East and North Africa. Ohio University Press
Elsheshtawy, Y. (ed.) (2004). Planning Middle Eastern Cities: an urban kaleidoscope in a globalizing world. London; New York: Routledge.
Gharipour, M. (2016) Contemporary Urban Landscape of the Middle East. NY, Oxon, Routledge.
Gregory, D. (ed) (2009) Dictionary of Human Geography. Blackwell.
Kanna, A. (2011) Dubai, the city as corporation. Minneapolis: Univ Of Minnesota Press.
Khirfan, L.; Good, K.; Horak, M. (2017). Order and disorder: urban governance and the making of Middle Eastern cities. Montreal, Kingston, London: Mc-Gill-Queen’s University Press.
Lee, R. (et. Al.) (2014) The SAGE handbook of human geography. Los Angeles: Sage.
Mc Neill, J. R. (1992) The mountains of the Mediterranean World: an environmental history. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press
Mikhail, A. (ed.) (2013) Water on sand: environmental histories of the Middle East and North Africa. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Mitchell, T. (2011). Carbon Democracy: political power in the age of oil. London, New York: Verso
Peteet, J. (2017). Space and Mobility in Palestine. Indiana University Press
Said, E.W., (1978). Orientalism. London: Penguin.
Veracini, L. (2010). Settler colonialism: A theoretical overview. London, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.
Verhoeven, H. (ed) (2018) Environmental Politics in the Middle East: local struggles, global connections. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 19/12/2018 |
| Last revision date | 19/12/2018 |
