Middle Eastern Studies and Politics

A joint honours degree allows you to study the same core topics as students on each single honours course, but you’ll take fewer options and discovery modules so you can fit in both subjects. You’ll also undertake a major research project in either subject in your final year.

Middle Eastern Studies

You’ll be introduced to early Arab and Islamic history in your first year to put your studies into context, while exploring the diversity of the Middle East. In the following year you’ll take core modules exploring the recent history and different cultures of the region, and may have the chance to study optional modules. In your final year, you’ll explore Middle East politics and choose from further options relating to Middle Eastern politics and culture.

Politics

Core modules in your first year will allow you to explore the similarities and differences between political systems and introduce you to key concepts, theories and ideas in politics. In the following year you’ll develop this knowledge by choosing from a range of optional modules on topics like security, electioneering and politics from the US to Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific. You’ll continue to pursue these interests by choosing from an even wider range of optional modules in your final year.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Early and Medieval Islamic History 20 credits
• Introduction to the Middle East: Politics, Culture and Religion 20 credits
• IT for LCS Students 5 credits
• Politics, Culture and Society 20 credits
• Comparative Politics 20 credits
• Freedom, Power and Resistance: An Introduction to Political Ideas 20 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Culture and Society in the Arab World 20 credits
• Modern Middle Eastern History 20 credits

Optional modules

Examples of the optional modules available are shown below. Please contact us for more details of the requirements and choices available.

• Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict 20 credits
• Contemporary Arabic Media 20 credits
• Politics and Policy in the EU 20 credits
• Theories of International Relations 20 credits
• Security Studies 20 credits
• Justice, Community and Conflict 20 credits

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Final Year Project

Optional modules

Examples of the optional modules available are shown below. Please contact us for more details of the requirements and choices available.

• Authoritarianism and Democratisation in the Arab World 20 credits
• Islam and Modernity 20 credits
• Middle Eastern Politics: Regimes, Societies and Conflict 20 credits
• Britain and the EU 20 credits
• Europe in the World 20 credits
• Politics of Islamism 20 credits