Admission requirements
Admission to (one of) the programme(s) listed under Part of in the right information bar.
If you are interested in taking this course, but NOT a student of (one of) the listed programme(s), please contact the Coordinator of Studies.
Description
This course critically assesses the meanings of core historical and political concepts used in the study of the pre-modern and modern Middle East, such as the meaning of ‘modernity’, the confinements of geographic borders, the role of cultural productions in society, and the multi-faceted characteristics of individuality and collectivity. The course does so by exploring issues regarding Middle Eastern politics, literature, art, music, architecture, ecology, medicine, gender, and law. The course has two main foci: first, to reach a deep understanding of the dynamic political, social, and cultural expressions and lives in the Middle East and beyond, and second, to unravel the interactions, departures, and links between past and present and the aspirations and perspectives on the future. This will be achieved by reading and analyzing (literary) texts in translation (in English).
Course objectives
The objectives of this course are:
to become thoroughly acquainted with cultural and historical debates on the Middle East;
to allow students to develop a strong and detailed understanding of the pertinent primary and secondary sources;
to familiarise students with theoretical approaches to the theme and to become acquainted with the tools needed to understand the primary sources relevant to the study of this period;
to help students develop the ability to critically assess prevailing approaches to the subjects covered;
to carry out a small research project on a well-defined topic, based on primary source texts;
to report on research findings orally (by reading a paper) and in writing, in accordance with the basic standards of literary scholarship.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
- Seminar
Attendance and active participation are obligatory for seminars. Students are required to prepare for and attend all sessions. The course is offered as part of a full-time program of studies, and therefore work commitments, holidays, or overseas travel do not constitute valid reasons for absence. The lecturer should be informed in writing of any classes to be missed for a valid reason (i.e., due to unforeseen circumstances that are beyond the student’s control, such as documented illness, family bereavement, problems with residence permits, victim of crime, or railway delays). In case of a justified absence, it is up to the Lecturer to decide whether the missed class should be made up with an extra assignment. The maximum of such absences during a semester is two. Please note that you are required to provide documentation that supports your case for absence where possible. Absence without notification and approval could result in a grade deduction, or in work not being marked and a failing grade for the course.
Assessment method
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to be familiar with Leiden University policies on plagiarism and academic integrity.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. It is assumed that students' work is their own work with all sources used properly indicated and documented in the text (with quotations and/or citations). Students may not substantially reuse any work they have previously submitted in this or other courses. Minor overlap with previous work is allowed as long as it is duly noted in citation.
Assignment(s) must be submitted to Brightspace through Turnitin, so they can be checked for plagiarism. Submission via email is not accepted.
Assessment
Participation, preparation and attendance: 15%
Oral presentation: 15%
Assignments: 15%
Final paper (4500 words): 55%
Weighing
The weighted average forms the final mark for this course. In order to pass the course, students must obtain an overall mark of 5.50 (= 6) or higher. The course is an integrated whole. All assessment parts must be completed in the same academic year. No partial marks can be carried over into following years.
The papers are assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
Demonstration of knowledge and the use of primary and secondary literature;
Presentation and consistency of arguments;
Communication: number of words, language, lay-out.
The writing process of the paper has three stages: first version (to be discussed in class), peer-review assignment, final version (which will be graded)
Late submissions of the papers will result in a deduction of the paper grades as follows: 1-24 hrs late = -0.5; 24-48 hrs late = -1.0; 48-72 hrs late = -1.5; 72-96 hrs late = -2.0. Late papers will not be accepted more than four days after the deadline, including weekends and will be graded with 1.0.
Resit
Only if the total weighted average is insufficient (5.49 or lower), students are allowed to rewrite the paper in consultation with the convenor of the course. In that case the convener of the course will give a new deadline. A resit of the other partial assessments is not possible.
Reading list
The syllabus and required readings will be available on Brightspace.
Registration
Students from MA programmes listed under Part of in the right information bar, will be informed by their Coordinator of Studies on the enrolment procedure. After admission they will be registered by the Education Administration Office Vrieshof, one week prior to the start of the first semester.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: De Vrieshof.