HISTORY AND CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE CONTEMPORARY ARAB WORLD MOD.1

As part of the degree course, the module aims to provide a general overview of the contemporary history of Arab countries, starting from the end of the Ottoman Empire up to the 2011 uprisings. It will retrace the main events in the history of the region, focusing on the most relevant cultural, social, economic and political aspects, and will enable students to acquire the knowledge and analytical tools for a better understanding of contemporary affairs.

- Knowledge of the main phenomena characterising the contemporary history of Arab countries (from the end of the Ottoman Empire to the 2011 uprisings).
- Ability to critically analyse the main political, social and economic dynamics of the contemporary history of Arab countries.
- Ability to interpret current issues from a historical perspective.
- Ability to present the knowledge learnt in a clear and articulate manner.

Knowing English to read the sources

The major phases of the Arab countries' contemporary history (1800-2011):
- The age of modernisation (1800-1920): the Ottoman decline, modernising reforms, the beginning of European colonialism and the First World War
- The age of colonialism and notables (1920-1945)
- The Age of Revolutions in the Arab World (1945-1979): the new post-independence regimes, the beginning of oil exploitation, the Arab-Israeli conflict
- The Restructuring of the Arab World (1979-2011): the Iranian revolution, the Iran-Iraq conflict (1980-1988); oil rent crisis; structural adjustment programmes; the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990); the first and second Gulf wars (1990-1991 and 2003); the civil war in Algeria (1990s); the Palestinian question; the evolution of political Islam; the Arab revolts (2010-2011)

Within the different phases, specific themes and country cases will be explored.

Written exam:
- Guazzone L., Storia contemporanea del mondo arabo, Mondadori, 2016 (available in the library)
- Introduzione e capitolo 1 (pp. 1-88)
- Palestina (pp. 247-294)
- Power-point presentations available on the moodle platform

Oral exam:
- The sources to prepare the oral presentation and the group works will be made available on the moodle platform during the course.

The course has two modes of assessment.

The student can choose between two modes:

a) The first mode consists of a mid-course oral presentation on Palestine (on a research question assigned by the professor) and a final written test (multiple-choice test with 30 questions)

b) The second mode consists of a single final examination: a final written test (multiple-choice test) and an oral presentation on Palestine on a research question assigned by the professor.

written and oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

With regard to grading (the way in which grades will be assigned), irrespective of the
attending or non-attending mode:
A. marks in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- sufficient knowledge and applied understanding with reference to the syllabus;
- limited ability to collect and/or interpret data, making independent judgements;
- sufficient communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language relating to the
economic operation of public services;
B. marks in band 23-26 will be awarded in the presence of:
- discrete knowledge and applied comprehension skills with reference to the syllabus;
- discrete ability to collect and/or interpret data critically, making autonomous judgements;
- fair communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language relating to the topics
C. scores in the 27-30 bracket will be awarded in the presence of:
- good or very good knowledge and applied comprehension skills with reference to the syllabus;
- good or very good ability to collect and/or interpret data critically, making independent judgements;
- fully appropriate communication skills, especially in relation to the use of the specific language in relations to the covered topics
D. Honours will be awarded in the presence of excellent critical judgement and communication skills.

- Lectures with the use of power-point
- Presentation of case studies and country cases
- Analysis of primary sources (audio-visual material, written documents) and maps.
- Supplementary in-depth readings (not compulsory for the examination).

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development