| Middle East and Democracy | Código: M7.110 : 4 |
The countries of the Middle East and North Africa, and particularly the Arab countries, have traditionally been seen as hostile for democracy. Other regions such as Southern Europe, Latin America, Eastern Europe and even parts of Africa experienced transitions to democracy since the 1970s.
In contrast, several Arab countries that initiated political reforms in the 70s or the 90s entered a de-liberalisation phase, characterised by increasing repression of all forms of opposition.
Until 2011, no Arab country had achieved a democratic transition. The wave of popular protest and subsequent changes initiated in 2011, commonly referred as Arab Spring or Arab Awakening has shaken the terms of the debate on democracy in the Middle East and some authors argue that the region is entering a new paradigm.
Several dictators have fallen; other countries have introduced political reforms and others have reinforced their traditional strategies of social control: a combination of subsidies and repression. External actors are also re-evaluating their policies towards this region and are trying to draw lessons from their past actions (or lack of action). In this critical juncture it is particularly relevant to analyse the domestic and international factors that have a substantial impact on the evolution of Middle Eastern politics.
The goal of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to get a closer look to the political dynamics of the region, to get to know the main political actors and to be introduced to theoretical debates on democracy in the Middle East.
This is an optional course. It aims to apply to a specific geographic area concepts and debates with which students are already familiarised with. It is also one of the few courses tought in English. Thus, it also aism at helping student to get used to English as a working language
This course is designed to be a useful introduction to politics in the Middle East for researchers, political analysists an political-risk consultants
The course assumes that students are already familiar with basic concepts of political science (e.g authoritarianism, democratisation, rentier state) and combines them with basic notions of International Relations and Foreign Policy analysis. This will also help students to get familiar with the Middle East and North Africa region. No initial knowledge on the region is supposed to students. Yet, no previous knowledge is supposed on this particular region. Having said that, students are highly recommended to refresh basic notions on the geography and the history of this region.
Specific skills:
- Interpret unfolding political events in the MENA region, identifying driving forces, key actors and potential impact.
- Apply political science and international relations concepts and analytical frameworks to the MENA region
Cross-cutting skills:
- Use English as a working and communication language
- Work with different kind of forces
- Combine academic research and policy-relevant analysis
Goals
The goal of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to get a closer look to the political dynamics of the region, to get to know the main political actors and to be introduced to theoretical debates on democracy in the Middle East. Students will have access to relevant information and a selection of reading materials that should allow them to answer questions such as:
- Does democracy face more obstacles in the Middle East than in other regions?
- Can Islamist groups become democratising forces or, at least, integrate themselves (and be integrated by the rest) in a democratic system?
- Is the Arab-Israeli conflict hindering democratisation in the Middle East?
- Have external actors contributed to democratisation in this region or, on the contrary, have they legitimised authoritarian rulers?
Module 1 Authoritarianism in Arab countries
Module 2 Political Islam and protest movements
Module 3 The Arab-Israeli conflict
Module 4 External actors and democracy in the Middle East
This materials will be provided during the course
La Normativa académica de la UOC dispone que el proceso de evaluación se fundamenta en el trabajo personal del estudiante y presupone la autenticidad de la autoría y la originalidad de los ejercicios realizados.
La falta de originalidad en la autoría o el mal uso de las condiciones en las que se hace la evaluación de la asignatura es una infracción que puede tener consecuencias académicas graves.
El estudiante será calificado con un suspenso (D/0) si se detecta falta de originalidad en la autoría de alguna actividad evaluable (práctica, prueba de evaluación continua (PEC) o final (PEF), o la que se defina en el plan docente), ya sea porque ha utilizado material o dispositivos no autorizados, ya sea porque ha copiado de forma textual de internet, o ha copiado de apuntes, de materiales, manuales o artículos (sin la citación correspondiente) o de otro estudiante, o por cualquier otra conducta irregular.
La calificación de suspenso (D/0) en la evaluación continua (EC) puede conllevar la obligación de hacer el examen presencial para superar la asignatura (si hay examen y si superarlo es suficiente para superar la asignatura según indique este plan docente).
Cuando esta mala conducta se produzca durante la realización de las pruebas de evaluación finales presenciales, el estudiante puede ser expulsado del aula, y el examinador hará constar todos los elementos y la información relativos al caso.
Además, esta conducta puede dar lugar a la incoación de un procedimiento disciplinario y la aplicación, si procede, de la sanción que corresponda.
La UOC habilitará los mecanismos que considere oportunos para velar por la calidad de sus titulaciones y garantizar la excelencia y la calidad de su modelo educativo.
|
Esta asignatura se puede superar por una doble vía: por un lado, a partir de la evaluación continua ( EC) y una prueba de síntesis ( PS ) y , por otro lado , con la realización de un examen final ( EX ) . |