Advanced Topics in Political Science (387-0-70)

Topic

Politics of the Arab Uprisings

Instructors

Yasmeen Mekawy

Meeting Info

Northwestern Qatar Room 2-255: Mon, Wed 4:00PM - 5:15PM (AST)

Overview of class

This course examines the reasons for and variations in contemporary uprisings in the Middle East. At once theoretical and empirical, the class focuses on events of the Arab uprisings, which occurred first in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, Libya in the first wave, followed by Sudan, Algeria, Lebanon, and Iraq in the second wave. We will consider the uprisings in relation to prevailing social scientific theories of change and management, covering the following topics: the causes and meanings of "revolution;" class dynamics and the rise of new social movements in a neoliberal era; the importance of digital publics; popular culture and artistic practices in the context of ongoing tumult; the spatial and gendered dynamics of mass mobilization; the various roles of the military; the causes of civil war; counterrevolution, and the politics of empire.

Registration Requirements

Prerequisites: None

Open to sophomores and above

Open for Cross-Registration

Satisfies Media and Politics Minor and Middle East Studies Minor

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration is reserved for sophomore, juniors, and seniors only.