POL S 331 A: Government and Politics in the Middle East and North Africa

For decades, the Middle East was widely perceived as a bastion of authoritarianism and a hotbed of ethnic and religious politics and political violence. What explains the persistence of these perspectives, and why have citizens across the region risen up to try to overthrow dictators and authoritarian regimes? Why have Islamists gained prominence in many MENA countries, and why has sectarian violence appeared to spike in recent decades?  By learning about key questions and debates in the field of Middle East politics, this course aims to give students a critical understanding of politics in the region. The course combines systematic analytical approaches to big questions with concrete knowledge of events and developments in specific countries. Topics include “persistent authoritarianism” in the Middle East, Political Islam, women's rights in MENA, economic development and underdevelopment, social mobilization, and the foundations of the Arab Spring. For more information, see the syllabus.

Grading and Exams:

1. Quiz Section Participation and Assignments (30%)
2. Midterm (20%)
3. Final (30%)
4. Country Report (20%)