HS1OWI-Western Imaginaries of the Middle East

Module Provider: History
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Dina Rezk
Email: d.rezk@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module examines how Western culture has ‘imagined’ and depicted the Middle East, drawing on the influential work of Edward Said, and particularly his theory of ‘Orientalism’. This module is optional for SINGLE HONOURS STUDENTS ONLY.

Aims:
The aim of the module is to explore Orientalism as an ideology and why it is significant both historically and today. It also provides an introduction to Edward Said's main arguments alongside the criticisms that have been levelled at him.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Assessable outcomes By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to: •

• identify the sources of the topic in question


• trace its historical development


• be aware of differing historiographical interpretations of the pattern and causes of this development


• understand how ideas and events are shaped by their historical contexts


• organise material and articulate arguments effectively in writing, both under timed conditions and in assessed coursework 


• demonstrate familiarity with bibliographical conventions and mastery of library skills.

Additional outcomes:
The module also aims:
£ to encourage students to think independently
£ to help students develop good oral and written communication skills
£ to develop the effectiveness of students in group situations
£ to develop IT skills through the use of relevant resources.

Outline content:
This option allows the exploration of the single most important debate in Middle Eastern studies from a multidisciplinary perspective. It examines how the West has £imagined£ and depicted the Middle East and the contested debate about how elite and popular knowledge about the region has entered the Western psyche. The work of one particular author, Edward Said, brought this issue to the world£s attention with the publication of his landmark book, £Orientalism£ in 1978. This text argued that Western elites had constructed a fictional £East£ that was fundamentally inferior to an imagined £West£ in order to justify political and cultural domination of the region. The aim of this option is to develop an appreciation of Orientalist stereotypes in a range of texts and media and critically analyse the arguments of Said and his critics.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Teaching is by eight two-hour seminars over one term. Students are reminded to email their tutors for help and advice whenever needed and to note office hours.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		17
Guided independent study:		83
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Written exam 50% 

one 1-hour unseen paper requiring 1 answer

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One written assignment of c. 1,250 words, to be submitted via Blackboard on Turnitin, by 12 noon on the submission deadline in Week 11 specified on the module site on Blackboard. Five marks will be deducted if the coursework exceeds 1,312 words (i.e. 5% over the word limit).

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Where a re-sit is permitted, students will be assessed on the failed element(s) only in August. Any element(s) already passed will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. The module mark will be capped at a maximum of 40%. Failed coursework must be re-submitted by 12 noon on the third Friday of August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022