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Middle East Politics Certificate

The Middle East features often in statements made by politicians, and stories from the region are a constant staple of the media. However, it is still considered by many to be a “mystery.”  This is in part a result of the misrepresentation of the region and its peoples in addition to the incessant regional political developments, especially during the current decade. 

PURPOSE

The purpose of the suggested certificate is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the politics of the region that goes beyond stereotypes disseminated by the media and manipulated by political and interest groups. It will introduce students to current research and practice concerning the complex interplay among the different peoples and the states of the Middle East, as well as the interaction between the region and the rest of the world. 

While the certificate will be issued and managed by the Political Science department, students can take courses from a host of other departments and programs, for instance Geography, History, Languages, Religious Studies, and Women and Gender Studies.  Such an interdisciplinary approach will expose students to a variety of perspectives on the study of the Middle East.  It will also train them to investigate the interconnections among the different aspects of the political in the region.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

The certificate is designed to appeal primarily to students interested in pursuing a career in foreign policy, security, non-governmental organizations, conflict resolution and academia.  Topics covered in the certificate include: the structure and dynamics of the Middle East interstate system, the relation between state and society, colonialism, decolonization, nationalism and globalization(s) in the Middle East. 

Students will examine relevant theoretical and methodological literature in these aforementioned areas and will apply them in their coursework. Upon completing this certificate students should be able to:

  • understand the place and function of the Middle East in the current international system.
  • identify and analyze the deep structures that regulate the politics of the region.
  • understand the main ideological movements and divisions in the region.
  • appreciate the main cultural and religious expressions of the peoples of the region.
  • appreciate the complexities and diversity of Middle Eastern societies.
  • understand the interplay between politics and religion in the Middle East.
  • understand the challenges facing democratization efforts in the region.
  • understand the causes of the main conflicts in the region and the reasons for the failure of international endeavors to resolve them.

Certificate Requirements:

  • Students have to take at least three Political Science courses that have a Middle East focus. Students will be required to take an introductory course and a capstone.
  • Minimum hours in residency: all courses must be taken in residency at CU Denver
  • Minimum GPA and Allowable grades: 2.0 minimum GPA with no program course below C for the undergraduate certificate
  • Admission requirements: None. All students are eligible to enroll in the program.

Courses

The undergraduate certificate will require 5 program courses. All of the courses (except for ARAB 2120 Intermediate 2) have to be upper division courses, (3000 or 4000 level); of these only one can be an independent study.

Undergraduate:

  • ARAB 2120 Intermediate 2
  • GEOG 3150 Middle East
  • HIST 4461 The Modern Middle East*
  • HIST 4462 Islam in Modern History
  • PSCI 4736 The Middle East in World Affairs*
  • PSCI 4150 Gender Politics in the Middle East: Beyond Orientalism and Islamism**
  • PSCI 4165 Islamic Politics and Culture
  • PSCI 4156 The Arab-Israeli Peace Negotiations**
  • PSCI Political Systems of the Middle East and North Africa
  • PSCI 4002 Middle East Politics and Society in Film*
  • RLST 3120 Islamic Traditions
  • RLST 3100 Islamic Politics and Culture
  • WGST 4150 Gender Politics in the Middle East: Beyond Orientalism and Islamism**

This list is based on the existing courses. Other courses may be added in the future.

  • *Counts as an introductory course
  • **Counts as a capstone course

For more information, please contact Dr. Bassem Hassan at: Bassem.Hassan@ucdenver.edu

Middle East Certificate Learning Objectives

Middle-East Politics Undergraduate Certificate

Outcomes Assessment Plan

Certificate’s Educational Goals: The purpose of the suggested certificate is to provide students with a deeper understanding of the politics of the region that goes beyond stereotypes disseminated by the media and manipulated by political and interest groups.  It will introduce students to current research and practice concerning the complex interplay among the different peoples and the states of the Middle East, as well as the interaction between the region and the rest of the world.  While the certificate will be issued and managed by the Political Science department, students can take courses from various other departments and programs, for instance Geography, History, Languages, International Studies, Religious Studies and Women and Gender Studies.  Such an interdisciplinary approach will expose students to a variety of perspectives on the study of the Middle East.  It will also train them to investigate the interconnections among the different aspects of the political in the region. The certificate is designed to appeal primarily to students interested in pursuing a career in foreign policy, security, non-governmental organizations, conflict resolution and academia.  Topics covered in the certificate include: the structure and dynamics of the Middle East interstate system, the relation between state and society, colonialism, decolonization, nationalism and globalization(s) in the Middle East.  Students will examine relevant theoretical and methodological literature in these aforementioned areas and will apply them in their coursework.

Certificate Learning Outcomes:  Upon completing this certificate students should be able to:

  • Explain the place and function of the Middle East in the current international system.
  • Describe the diverse ideological, cultural, and religious expressions and divisions in the region.
  • Analyze the challenges facing democratization efforts in the region.
  • Analyze the causes of the main conflicts in the region and the reasons for the failure of international endeavors to resolve them.

Curriculum and Assessment Map: The Middle East Politics certificate requires students to complete five undergraduate courses.  Three courses must be Political Science courses.  An Introductory and a Capstone course are required.   Three courses are electives, and must be drawn from the list of courses below.  The list is based on existing courses; additional course options could be added in the future.  

  • Required Introductory Course Options
    • HIST 4461 The Modern Middle East
    • PSCI 4736  The Middle East in World Affairs
    • PSCI 4XXX  Middle East Politics and Society in Film (course currently being developed)
  • Required Capstone Course Options
    • PSCI 4150/WGST 4150 Gender Politics in the Middle East
    • PSCI 4156  The Arab-Israeli Peace Process
  • Certificate Electives
    • ARAB 2120   Intermediate 2
    • GEOG 3150   Middle East
    • HIST 4462    Islam in Modern History
    • PSCI 4165/RLST 3100 Islamic Politics and Culture
    • PSCI 4155  Political Systems of the Middle East and North Africa
    • RLST 3120  Islamic Traditions
    • PSCI 4002  Topics Courses—When Relevant and Approved by Program Advisor
    • PSCI 4840   Independent Study—When Relevant and Approved by Program Advisor

The table below maps the learning objectives to one of the required introductory course and to the capstone courses, and provides examples of typical assessments for these courses with respect to each learning objectives.

Learning Objective

Introductory Course:         PSCI 4736

Capstone Courses

Understand Place of Middle East in International System

Short Papers & Final Project

Capstone Project and Oral Presentation

Understand Diverse Ideological, Cultural and Religious Expressions of Region

Short Papers & Final Project

Capstone Project and Oral Presentation

Understand Challenges of Democratization in Region

Short Papers & Final Project

Capstone Project and Oral Presentation

Understand Sources of Regional Conflict and Reasons for Failure to Resolve Them

Short Papers & Final Project

Capstone Project and Oral Presentation

 

 

 

Assessment Data Collection and Analysis:  Assessment for each learning objective for each student will be undertaken following completion of each of the required introductory or capstone courses, using the rubrics below. Assessments will be conducted by reviewing relevant course records (e.g., student written work and record of oral presentations), and in consultation with relevant instructors.  Assessment rubrics are the same for both introductory and capstone courses, though is it assumed that the number of students assessed to have met or exceeded learning expectations will be higher in capstone courses than in introductory courses.  Assessment of achievement of learning outcomes for all students in the course will be conducted, providing evidence of the extent to which the opportunity to master learning objectives was provided to certificate student who might have been in the courses.

Learning Outcome 1:  Explain the place and function of the Middle East in the current international system.

 

Category

Percentage of Students

Rubric

Exceeds Expectations

 

Demonstrates a broad and sophisticated understanding of the place and function of the Middle East in the current international system.   Shows strong ability to explain the broader international or global dynamics that shape regional affairs, as well as explain how regional dynamics shape the broader world.

Meets Expectations

 

Demonstrates a solid understanding of the place and function of the Middle East in the current international system.   May shows strong ability to explain the broader international or global dynamics that shape regional affairs, OR explain how regional dynamics shape the broader world—but not both.

Below Expectations

 

Demonstrates a limited understanding of the place and function of the Middle East in the current international system.   Demonstrates only a rudimentary understanding of how broader international or global dynamics that shape regional affairs, OR of how regional dynamics shape the broader world.

 

 

 

Learning Outcome 2. Describe the diverse ideological, cultural, and religious expressions and divisions in the region.

Category

Percentage of Students

Rubric

Exceeds Expectations

 

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the diverse ideological, cultural, and religious expressions and divisions in the region.  Course work demonstrates detailed understanding of at least two of the three dynamics listed here:  ideological, cultural, or religious expressions in the Middle East.

Meets Expectations

 

Demonstrates a solid understanding of the diverse ideological, cultural, and religious expressions and divisions in the region.  Course work demonstrates detailed understanding of at least one of the three dynamics listed here:  ideological, cultural, or religious expressions in the Middle East.

Below Expectations

 

Demonstrates a limited understanding of the diverse ideological, cultural, and religious expressions and divisions in the region.  Course work demonstrates detailed understanding of none of the three dynamics listed here:  ideological, cultural, or religious expressions in the Middle East.

 

Learning Outcome 3:  Analyze the challenges facing democratization efforts in the region.

 

Category

Percentage of Students

Rubric

Exceeds Expectations

 

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the challenges facing democratization efforts in the region.  Student is able to identify multiple challenges to democratization and to explain how those challenges shape dynamics in at least three different Middle Eastern nations or states.

Meets Expectations

 

Demonstrates a solid understanding of the challenges facing democratization efforts in the region.  Student is able to identify at least one substantial challenge to democratization and to explain how this challenge shapes dynamics in at least two different Middle Eastern nations or states.

Below Expectations

 

Demonstrates limited understanding of the challenges facing democratization efforts in the region.  Student does not demonstrate strong awareness of multiple challenge to democratization and is unable to explain how these challenges shape dynamics in at least two different Middle Eastern nations or states.



Learning Outcome 4:  Analyze the causes of the main conflicts in the region and the reasons for the failure of international endeavors to resolve them.

 

Category

Percentage of Students

Rubric

Exceeds Expectations

 

Student demonstrates sophisticated understanding of the causes of the main conflicts in the region and the reasons for the failure of international endeavors to resolve them.  Student is able to deftly integrate insights from multiple approaches (e.g., History, Political Science, Religious Studies, Geography) in demonstrating an understanding of the sources of conflict in the region.

Meets Expectations

 

Student demonstrates solid understanding of the causes of the main conflicts in the region and the reasons for the failure of international endeavors to resolve them.  Student is able to demonstrate command of how at least one factor such as regional history, politics, culture or geography contributes to regional conflict, but does not demonstrate significant command of multiple intellectual approaches to the subject.

Below Expectations

 

Student demonstrates limited understanding of the causes of the main conflicts in the region and the reasons for the failure of international endeavors to resolve them.  Student does not demonstrate mastery of even one intellectual approach to the sources of regional conflict, such as a historical, political, religious, or geographical approach to the subject.

Schedule for Learning Outcomes Assessment           

Achievement of learning outcomes for be assessed at the time each introductory or capstone course is completed.   Data will be reported upon the completion of the certificate by five or more students  Managing the assessment process will be the responsibility of the department certificate coordinator and/or Department Chair.