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2013 Summer Session Catalogue 
    
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2013 Summer Session Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

IS 471 - International Politics of the Middle East

Instructor: Maj. J. Patrick Rhamey, Jr.
Location: Scott Shipp Hall 449
Date/Time: Monday-Friday 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Credit Hours: 3

The course is designed as an extensive survey of the international politics of the Middle East. The states relevant to our discussion represent those Near Eastern states on the European and Asian periphery that are frequently characterized as unique given the importance of Islamic religious traditions, dependence upon oil exports, and more recently, domestic political instability. This cluster of geographically proximate states shares a unique set of political, economic, and security challenges in the twenty-first century in addition to a unique common history and culture. In order to assess the prospects for order or disorder in the Middle East, students will compare (a) states within the region, (b) changes within states over time, and (c) the region with other relevant regions in the international system. The course will examine the interplay of numerous variables that improve our understanding and ability to rigorously analyze the politics of the Middle East, including the impact of colonialism, nationalism and nation-state formation, influence of major powers in the region, political economy and export dependence, and the Arab-Israeli conflict.