HS2O17: Reform and Revolt in the Modern Middle East: Egypt from Ataturk to the 'Arab Spring'

Module code: HS2O17

Module provider: History; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Dina Rezk, email: d.rezk@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module explores the key events, individuals and themes that shaped the Middle East in the 20th Century, with a particular focus on Egypt.

The aims of the module are to:

• Examine the origins and impact of Arab nationalism
• Outline the key Arab-Israeli wars and their consequences
• Critically appraise the presidencies of Nasser, Sadat and Mubarak
• Explore a range of translated Egyptian primary sources

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify and understand the significance of the main events that shaped the Middle East in the 20th Century
2. Engage with a range of translated Egyptian primary material as historical sources
3. Organise material and articulate arguments effectively in writing
4. Demonstrate familiarity with bibliographical conventions and mastery of library skills

Module content

Through a wide-ranging examination of Egypt’s role as the most populous and influential power in the region, this module allows an exploration of the breadth of ideologies and political systems that prevailed over the twentieth century Middle East. We examine the postcolonial legacies of imperial power and the way the modern nation state has taken different forms across the 20th Century. We study the role and impact of post-war secular ideologies such as Arab nationalism and Nasserism alongside the Arab ‘Cold War’ between ‘revolutionary’ republics and ‘moderate’ monarchies that dominated the 1950s and 60s. We also consider the impact of the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict and the role of Egypt’s subsequent presidents in shaping the nation and the region.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is by eleven weekly three-hour seminars with lectures incorporated, supplemented by online activities as directed and independent study.

Study hours

At least 33 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Staff will devise formative assessment appropriate to the module content.

Reassessment

Additional costs