HMØK00226U MØS, Middle Eastern Politics (E26)

Volume 2026/2027
Education

Kandidatuddannelsen i Mellemøstens sprog og samfund, 2026-ordningen 

Kandidattilvalg i Mellemøstens sprog og samfund, 2019-ordningen

Content

The course trains students in the application of theory as well as the latest research in fields such as international relations, political science, historical sociology and conflict studies in relation to current political affairs in the Middle East. The teaching is structured around reading theoretical and methodological literature, close study of concrete cases and of practical exercises such as writing reports, policy papers, case notes, recommendations, etc. To this end, students are trained to delimit a topic; locate, evaluate and use sources; contextualize a topic in historical and comparative regional perspective; to systematically form an overview of existing research in a defined field; and in applying theoretical concepts in analyses of current political issues. Finally, the student will learn how to produce policy analyses in a short period of time for both academic and non-academic employers.

Learning Outcome

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to demonstrate: 

 

Knowledge and understanding of

  • key concepts, theories, and debates in political science, history, and sociology relevant to the study of Middle Eastern politics
  • central topics in modern and contemporary Middle Eastern politics.

 

Skills in

  • applying correct disciplinary terminology as well as concepts and theories relevant to the analysis of political conditions
  • defining and formulating an academically relevant topic and research question within modern or contemporary Middle Eastern politics
  • creating a systematic overview of existing research relevant to the topic and research question
  • selecting and analyzing relevant sources in a chosen language for use in investigations with both academic and non-academic purposes
  • presenting independent, research-based analyses in writing and orally in different academic and non-academic contexts.

 

Competencies to

  • formulate analyses of political circumstances in written and oral presentations for academic and non-academic audiences in a clear, professional, and well-structured manner
  • critique and evaluate the applicability of theories and concepts from secondary literature as well as existing research and knowledge on a given topic
  • integrate source material into analyses of political circumstances.

Teacher and students put together teaching material. There is no syllabus requirement, but it is expected that the student demonstrates extensive knowledge of existing literature on the subject in the bibliography of the take-home assignment.

Lectures and classroom teaching with discussion and individual/group exercises.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 0
  • Total
  • 0
Oral
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Home assignment, 11-20 standard pages
Oral examination, 7-10 minutes
Type of assessment details
The ongoing test consists of a free oral examination and four written home assignments, which can be both free and set.
The length requirement for the first three home assignments is 2-4 standard pages, and for the last home assignment it is 10 standard pages. In total, the 4 assignments must have a length of 16-20 standard pages.
The oral examination is an extension of an assignment set in class and lasts between 7 and 10 minutes.
The examination contains both specifically academic parts and presentation of results for non-academic examiners.
Weighting: The home assignments count for a total of 75%, and the oral examination counts for 25% of the assessment.
Group exam regulations: The exam can only be taken individually.
Examination language: English.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed (see description below)

For the oral examination, all non-electronic aids are allowed.
For the home assignments, all aids are allowed (for rules on generative artificial intelligence, see Study Information).

 

 

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam

Free oral examination (20 minutes) with free home assignment (11-15 standard pages).
All non-electronic aids are allowed.

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning Outcome