Unit Politics and Conflicts in Mediterranen Africa and the Middle East
- Course
- International relations
- Study-unit Code
- GP003773
- Curriculum
- Conflitti internazionali, studi strategici e analisi di politica estera
- Teacher
- Anna Baldinetti
- Teachers
-
- Anna Baldinetti
- Hours
- 63 ore - Anna Baldinetti
- CFU
- 9
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2024
- Offered
- 2024/25
- Learning activities
- Caratterizzante
- Area
- Storico
- Academic discipline
- SPS/13
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italian
- Contents
- The course will examines in historical perspective internal conflicts in the North African and Middle Eastern States.
- Reference texts
- There are no textbooks. The bibliographical references (mainly in English and French) that will be listed at the beginning of the course. Non attending students are required to contact the lecturer within the first three weeks.
- Educational objectives
- Knowledge and Understanding:
By the end of the course, the student will have
a) An advanced understanding of the political systems of Arab countries in North Africa and the Middle East from a historical perspective
b) A detailed understanding of the ethno-linguistic and religious conflicts in these countries.
c) The ability to contextualize these conflicts within long-term historical processes and larger geographical areas.
Application of Knowledge and Understanding:
The student will acquire analytical tools and comparative skills that will enable them to link the acquired knowledge to broader issues of interest in political science. Additionally, by the end of the course, the student will be able to use the main databases of specific interest for international relations.
Communication Skills:
By discussing the assigned readings and drafting the final report, the student will develop the following skills:
Present the acquired competencies related to North Africa and the Middle East to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
b) present their ideas clearly;
c) participate in a debate;
d) improve their writing skills.
Learning Skills:
Active participation in lessons, the presentation and discussion of assigned readings, and research and bibliographic deepening of the concepts and themes addressed all stimulate learning skills. - Prerequisites
- A basic and general knowledge of international history in the twentieth century is required.
- Teaching methods
- The course will primarily have a seminar format. We will provide the general reference bibliography (in English and/or French) at the beginning of the course. Students are required to read the assigned material and discuss it in class according to the schedule established at the beginning of the course. Additionally, students will be required to write a paper for the exam on a specific case study and present the case study in class before writing the paper.
- Other information
- Attendance is strongly recommended. The course will involve the class participation. Non-attending students have their specific programme
- Learning verification modality
- Attending students will be assess through: 1) reading assignments and debates that will be scheduled during the course. 2) case study presentations and written papers . Non attending students: oral examination (100% of the final mark). The oral examination will not only test the knowledge, but also the capacity of analysis and synthesis.
For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disabilities (DSA), please visit http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa. - Extended program
- Following the political changes that took place in 2011, Arab countries abruptly entered a new political phase. Popular uprisings, which triggered and, in some cases, accelerated processes of political transition and transformation, drove the collapse of regimes that had been in power for decades and appeared stable (Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen). These dynamics involved even those countries where protests did not topple the heads of institutions (Morocco, Algeria, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Syria). The new political and institutional changes do not always align with genuinely democratic processes. Framing these changes from a historical perspective, the course will analyse the roots and subsequent evolutions of the Arab revolutions, paying particular attention to the internal conflicts (religious, ethnic, and linguistic) in the following national contexts of North African countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.
- Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile
- Through the analysis of political transformations, students will consider the possibilities and limits of revolutionary and reform processes. Therefore, the course will deal with topics associated with the UN 2030 Agenda, in particular those related to Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda: peace, justice, and strong institutions, particularly with regard to:
16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels