Subjects

Schedule Noticeboard

Last update: Katarína Palčová, M.A. (22.05.2019)

This course accompanies the “Middle East Lecture Series” (MELS) that is held at the Department of Middle East
Studies. The lectures that are given in the series are from prominent academics in the field, who engage with the
history, culture, and politics of the Middle East from a variety of disciplines (e.g. history, political science, social
anthropology, etc.). Follow-up seminars then develop the themes introduced by the lectures in depth. Students will
thus get a chance to actively engage with some of the current debates in the interdisciplinary field of Middle
Eastern studies by discussing both with the MELS speakers after their lecture and with their fellow students during
follow-up seminars. The course will also provide opportunity for students to develop their critical listening and
presentation skills. The working language of the course as well as the MELS is English.

Last update: Katarína Palčová, M.A. (22.05.2019)

This course accompanies the “Middle East Lecture Series” (MELS) that is held at the Department of Middle East Studies. The lectures that are given in the series are from prominent academics in the field, who engage with the history, culture, and politics of the Middle East from a variety of disciplines (e.g. history, political science, social anthropology, etc.). Follow-up seminars then develop the themes introduced by the lectures in depth. Students will thus get a chance to actively engage with some of the current debates in the interdisciplinary field of Middle Eastern studies by discussing both with the MELS speakers after their lecture and with their fellow students during follow-up seminars. The course will also provide opportunity for students to develop their critical listening and presentation skills. The working language of the course as well as the MELS is English.

Last update: Katarína Palčová, M.A. (22.05.2019)

Course Expectations

Attending the MELS (attendance of the MELS will be recorded, attending at least 3 lectures is required for passing the course) and follow-up seminars.

Submit 500-words-long reactions papers on 3 of the lectures. Reaction papers are due by email by 8 pm the day before the follow-up seminar to the relevant lecture. For reaction papers guidelines, see below. Each reaction paper is worth 25 % of the final mark.

Each student will give one 15-20 minutes presentation per term in one of the follow-up seminars (see below for what is expected). Presentation is worth 25 % of the final mark.

Active participation in seminars.

Reaction papers

Reaction paper is a brief (500 words, +/- 10%), critical and thoughtful response to the lecture that will include your qualified opinion. We expect you to react, i.e. discuss the issue(s) raised by the lecture, giving your own opinion. By qualified we mean that we expect you to support your opinion by additional resources (journal articles, books, newspaper articles, human rights reports, etc.). Reaction paper should also incorporate the reading assigned for the given week. There should be a bibliography section at the end of the paper. Additional information on how to write a good reaction paper will be given to students at the beginning of the term.

Reaction papers are due by email to the seminar tutor by 8 pm the day before the follow-up seminar to the relevant lecture.

Presentations

Each student will be responsible for either an individual or group presentation (depending on class size). The presentation will be based on one of the Middle East lectures, and will be an opportunity for students to evaluate an issue on a deeper level and take the discussion one step further. The presentations should demonstrate critical thinking and contextualization from a historical and/or contemporary political aspect, the latter of which will be achieved through independent research. Rather than summarizing the lecture on which the presentation is based, students are expected to attempt broader conclusions and tie their interpretation into larger debates surrounding the Middle East. The presentations should be 15 to 20 minutes and should be followed by some questions that the presenting students will have prepared to stimulate discussion. Students are encouraged to take this opportunity as a moment to practice their public speaking skills, which include engagement with the audience and the use of visual aids, e.g. a PowerPoint presentation.

Grading

Grades for the course will be based on attendance at the Middle East Lecture Series, the accompanying reaction papers, and the presentation.

Last update: Katarína Palčová, M.A. (22.05.2019)

There will be preliminary reading(s) assigned per lecture, which should be incorporated into the reaction paper and presentations. Those will be provided in advance.

Last update: Katarína Palčová, M.A. (22.05.2019)

This class will meet 9 times over the course of the term, on the dates indicated below.

· Seminar, 21 February: Introduction to the course. How to write well in academia and listen actively?

· Lecture 1, 28 February: MELS: Hugh Kennedy (SOAS)

· Seminar, 14 March: Discussion about Dr Kennedy’s lecture (led by Ebru Akcasu)

· Lecture 2, 21 March: MELS: Marilyn Booth (University of Oxford)

· Seminar, 28 March: Discussion about Dr. Booth’s lecture (led by Ebru Akcasu)

· Lecture 3, (TBC, April): MELS: Alain Dieckhoff (Sciences Po)

· Seminar (TBC): Discussion about Dr Dieckhoff’s lecture (led by Tereza Jermanová)

· Lecture 4 (16 May): MELS: Charles Tripp (SOAS), 16 May 2019

· Seminar, 23 May: Discussion of Dr Tripp’s lecture (led by Tereza Jermanová)