AIE157 - Introduction to the Middle East: History and Continuity
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Shahram Akbarzadeh |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour lecture per week, 1 x 1-hour seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 1-hour lecture per week, 1 x 1-hour seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit introduces the Middle East and North Africa region to students by exploring its broad history and relating it to the modern world. It covers the Middle East from the birth of the Abrahamic Faiths until the fall of the Ottoman Empire. The content then shifts to exploring how aspects of history manifest in the modern Middle East. This will offer a foundation for students to better understand how the region functions today and an entry point into Middle East politics. No prior study of the Middle East is required.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Critically examine cultural assumptions that are implicit in discussions of the Middle Eastern history and region | GLO4: Critical thinking GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO2 | Analyse Middle Eastern history using a diverse range of resources and explain its relationship to modern dilemmas in the Middle Eastern region | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO3 | Analyse and interpret popular media stories on the Middle East and the way these portray the Middle Eastern region and history | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO4 | Work independently to communicate and convey a diverse range of perspectives related to how historical forces have shaped the modern Middle East | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO6: Self-management |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective Historical Analysis | 800 words or equivalent | 20% | Week 5 |
| Major Essay | 2000 words or equivalent | 50% | Week 10 |
| Test | 1200 words or equivalent | 30% | End-of-unit assessment period |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for AIE157 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.