Middle East Law and Policy – PPOG 640

Course Description

Middle East Laws and Policy provides an introduction to and survey of the legal, political, legislative, and judicial systems of the Middle East. The course will analyze the political parties that wield power, the ideologies that drive them, the policies they produce, and the impact of those policies both in the Middle East and abroad.

Rationale

The course is an elective course in the MAPP program that serves as one of the requirements of the Middle East Policy cognate. It provides an introduction to the Israeli legal system, and the legal/political systems of other Middle East countries, necessary for a serious study of law, policy, diplomacy, and international relations in the Middle East.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be 400–500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 250–300 words. All sources must be cited in current APA format.

Terms and Concepts Research Paper Assignment

The student will write 5 – 7 pages for a research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on a list of terms and concepts. The student will discuss and analyze the key terms and concepts in preparation for future assignments. The paper must include at least 5 scholarly references in addition to the course textbook and assigned readings.

Political Parties Research Assignment

The student will create a paper or presentation examining political parties and organizations exerting political influence in Middle Eastern governments. If the student chooses to submit a paper, it must be 7 – 8 pages written in current APA format and must include at least 6 scholarly references in addition to the course textbook, assigned readings, and the Bible. If the student chooses to submit a presentation, he or she will either create a PowerPoint presentation with audio or make a creative video. The presentation must include 9 – 10 minutes of student-spoken audio and incorporate at least 6 scholarly references in addition to the course textbook, assigned readings, and the Bible.

Political Islam Research Paper Assignment

The student will write a 5–7-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on Islam as a legal and political system. The paper must include at least 5 scholarly references in addition to the course textbook, assigned readings, and the Bible.

Comparative Legal Systems Research Assignment

The student will create a presentation or a paper that focuses on the legal and political system of the State of Israel. If the student chooses to submit a paper, it must be 9–10 pages written in current APA format and must include at least 7 scholarly references in addition to the course textbook, assigned readings, and the Bible. If the student chooses to submit a presentation, he or she will either create a PowerPoint presentation with audio or make a creative video. The presentation must include 11–12 minutes of student-spoken audio and incorporate at least 7 scholarly references in addition to the course textbook, assigned readings, and the Bible.

Quizzes (3)

Each quiz will cover the Learn items for the assigned Module: Week, with some potential overlap from preceding Learn items. The quizzes will be open-book/open-notes and contain 10 multiple-choice and 10 corresponding short-answer questions. Each short-answer question will require a 50 – 150 word, well-reasoned explanation of the analysis the student employed in reaching his or her multiple-choice answer. Each quiz will have a time limit of 90 minutes.