Module Catalogue 2024/25

POL3060 : The Politics of Protest in the Middle East

POL3060 : The Politics of Protest in the Middle East

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Una McGahern
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
  • Capacity limit: 60 student places
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module offers an opportunity for an in-depth exploration of the politics of protest in the Middle East.

Specifically, it aims to:
• Introduce students to the wide variety of different forms and types of collective action that exist across the Middle East.
• Develop students' understanding of the relationship between patterns of mobilisation and repression in producing not only repertoires of action but broader dynamics of contention.
• Advance students' understanding of the study of contentious politics and its relevance to a deeper understanding of the politics of the Middle East more generally.
• To empower students to develop their independent research, analysis and presentation skills.

Outline Of Syllabus

From the Arab uprisings of 2011 to anti-regime protests in Iran today, protests across the Middle East have captured widespread attention due, in part, to the wide range of innovative and creative tactics that protestors have deployed to make themselves seen and heard and to advance demands for political change but, also, because of the often considerable risks of violence, imprisonment and other forms of political repression that they carry. Focusing on what the politics of protest in the Middle East can tell us about patterns of mobilisation and repression more generally, this module asks: How do people mobilise and why do they mobilise in certain ways? What are the opportunities and constraints that activists face? What tactics do they use to advance their political claims? Do they work? How do policing strategies shape dynamics of contention? In what ways does space/place shape patterns of protest? Drawing on a range of contemporary case studies from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, students on this module will answer these questions while exploring the usefulness of key concepts within social movement theory and the study of contentious politics more generally in explaining contemporary patterns of protest as well as future trends in political mobilisation and change in the Middle East.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will have:

• An understanding of patterns of political mobilisation and repression in the Middle East.
• An understanding of different forms of collective action in the region.
• An understanding of the spatial dimensions of protest.
• An understanding of key concepts and approaches in the scholarship on social movements and contentious politics.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Analyse protest events and movements in the Middle East from the perspective of social movement theory.
• Conduct independent research and effectively communicate findings in a coherent and structured manner.
• Abstract and synthesise selective political, social and economic data with relevant theories and concepts.
• Apply key concepts and approaches to case studies.
• Demonstrate analytic and argumentation skills.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture102:0020:00Lectures (PiP)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching101:0010:00Seminars (PiP)
Structured Guided LearningStructured research and reading activities104:0040:00Preparation for lectures and seminars
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops11:301:30Collective action plan design and development (PiP)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops12:002:00Final week group presentation of collective action plans (PiP)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery22:004:00Assessment advice and feedback (online)
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1122:30122:30Independent reading and research, assessment preparation and write-up
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures are designed to introduce students to key debates, theories and concepts relevant to the study of contentious politics as well as a select range of examples and case studies from the MENA region which are designed to help illustrate these debates, theories and concepts in more detail.

Seminars are designed to provide students with an opportunity to critically engage with and discuss key readings relating to the study of the politics of protest in the Middle East in order to deepen their knowledge and understanding and develop their analytical and argumentation skills in small group settings.

Workshops are designed to support deeper applied learning through independent collaborative activities. In small groups, students will be tasked with designing and developing a creative project (a group action plan) which they will then present to the class in the final week of term.

Drop ins/surgeries are designed to provide additional support to students in their preparation for assessment.

Structured guided learning activities are designed to scaffold both lectures and seminars (assignment of set readings and discussion questions) and workshop activities.

Independent study is expected to undertake wider reading, independent research and assessment preparation and write-up.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M602500 word Essay
Case study1M20800 words
Prof skill assessmnt1M20N/A
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A 800 word Case Study (20%), to be submitted mid-semester, is designed to develop and test students' indepdendent research skills as well as their ability to make links between their chosen case study from the MENA region and relevant theories and concepts covered in this module in a clear and succinct manner.

A 2,500 word Essay (60%), to be submitted at the end of the semester, will develop and test students' ability to critically analyse revelant cases, events, themes and concepts covered in this module as it relates to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in a longer format. Students will have the option to choose an essay topic from a list of essay questions that will be assigned at the start of the semester or, if they prefer, to 'design their own question' in consultation with the Module Leader.

A Professional Skills Assessment (20%) will develop and test students’ independent and collaborative research skills, specifically their ability to apply relevant concepts to a collective action plan of their own choosing. Students will work in small groups throughout the semester to design and write-up a 2-page collective action plan which they will then present to the class in the final teaching week of the semester.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

This is where you will be able to find all key information about modules on your programme of study. It will help you make an informed decision on the options available to you within your programme.

You may have some queries about the modules available to you. Your school office will be able to signpost you to someone who will support you with any queries.

Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.