Understanding the dynamics of the Middle East: authoritarianism and democracy
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- Start Date: 15 May 2025End Date: 05 Jun 2025Thu (Evening): 18:30 - 20:30OnlineFull fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £77.00
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What is the course about?
This course examines the interplay between authoritarianism and democracy in the Middle East, focusing on political structures, movements, and their implications for regional stability.
What will we cover?
- Historical context of political regimes in the Middle East
- Characteristics of authoritarianism
- Democratization processes and challenges
- Case studies of specific countries
- The Arab Spring and its aftermath
- External influences on political systems.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Understand the historical and contemporary political landscape of the Middle East
- Analyse the factors contributing to authoritarianism and democratization
- Evaluate the impact of political regimes on regional stability
- Discuss the role of external influences in shaping political outcomes.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Everyone is welcome and no specific skills are required, but please note this is an intermediate-level course and a grasp of modern history, politics and current affairs will add to your enjoyment of the course.
An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will also increase what you get out of the course.
And, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course includes lectures, discussions, and case study analyses. Expect readings, essays, and informal research projects based on case studies to be completed outside of class, but these are not compulsory. The most important issue is interactive lessons with in-class participation and you will be encouraged to share your thoughts and ideas during the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No additional costs but you may wish to bring pen and paper or digital equivalent for note taking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
HPC249 Understanding the dynamics of the Middle East: Türkiye, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Çaglar Ezikoglu is an expert in international politics, Middle East and Turkish politics and political economy, with an MA from in European politics from the University of Sussex and a PhD in International Politics from Aberystwyth University in 2019. Widely published, he’s presented at numerous conferences around the world in the study of international politics. He currently teaches at the University of Birmingham in the Department of Political Science and International Studies and he has taught at the university level in the UK and Turkey. He has been teaching courses in political science, international relations, economics, history and sociology. He has been nominated for the Political Studies Association Sir Bernard Crick Teaching Prize and British International Studies Association Early Career Excellence Teaching Prize in 2024. He is the recipient of the competitive UK Global Talent Visa. At City Lit, Çaglar will teach politics courses, exploring the politics of cities, unions and strikes in the 21st century, Turkey, the Middle East and global political economy.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.