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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures : Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

Postgraduate Course: Gendering the Middle East (IMES11092)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Literatures, Languages and Cultures CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeDissertation AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryGender in the Middle East is a highly topical, yet often sensationalised, issue in contemporary media and political discourse. Countering such reductionist
and prejudiced readings, this course facilitates critical engagement with key issues related to gender in the Middle East, enabling students to apply a
gendered lens to the political, cultural, and social landscapes of the region.
Course description This is an interdisciplinary course that covers key themes related to gender in the Middle East. It provides a gendered understanding of prevailing
discourses, ideologies, structures, social practices, and trends in the region by tapping into a variety of sources ranging from sociology, history,
anthropology, political science, media studies, and gender studies.

A selection of key texts will be read by students ahead of class, and they will be required to write short reaction papers critically engaging with these texts.
Where appropriate, students may also be required to watch special media (films, videos, etc.) directly relevant to the topic at hand. Classes will promote
critical reflection and will focus on discussions of the readings and the media (where applicable).
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Analyse social, cultural, and political phenomena in the Middle East through the prism of gender
  2. Critically evaluate a variety of books, journals, and other sources of information relevant to the topics studied on the course
  3. Identify, define, and apply a range of methodologies and theoretical frameworks employed in the study of gender in the Middle East
  4. Apply a range of skills, including digital skills and written presentation and research skills, to communicate complex and nuanced analyses and positions on gender in the Middle East
Reading List
- Ahmed, Leila (1992) Women and Gender in Islam. Historical Roots of a Modern Debate. Yale University Press.
- Al-Hassan Colley, Nawar (2003) Reading Arab Women's Autobiographies. Austin: University of Texas Press.
- Al Ali, N. (2000) Secularism, Gender and the State in the Middle East. The Egyptian Women's Movements, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Jad, Islah (2005) Between Religion and Secularism: Islamist Women of Hamas, in Fereshteh Nouraie-Simone (ed.) On Shifting Ground: Muslim Women in
the Global Era New York: Feminist Press.
- Ilkkaracan, Pinar (2000) Women and Sexuality in Muslim Societies. New York: Palgrave.
- Joseph, Suad (ed.) (2000) Gender and Citizenship in the Middle East. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press.
- Kandiyoti, Deniz (1996) Gendering the Middle East: Emerging Perspectives. I.B. Tauris.
- Kandyioti, Deniz (1998) Bargaining with Patriarchy, in Gender and Society vol. 2, no.3. pp.282-89.
- Mernissi, Fatima (1982) Virginity and Patriarchy in: Women's Studies International Forum, Vol.5, no.2:183-193.
- Moghadam, Valentine (2002a) Patriarchy, The Taleban and Politics of Public Space in Afghanistan, in Women's Studies International Forum, Vol 25, no. 1
pp.19-31.
- Moghadam, Valentine (2002b) Islamic Feminism and Its Discontents: Toward a Resolution of the Debate in Signs, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 1135-1171
- Moghissi, Haideh (1999) Feminism and Islamic Fundamentalism. The Limits of Post-modern Analysis. London and New York: Zed Books, 1999
- Taraki, Lisa (ed.) (2006) Living Palestine. Family Survival, Resistance, and Mobility under Occupation. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Research and enquiry:
- Problem solving and knowledge integration
- Handling and synthesising complex information from multiple sources
- Digital literacy including basic ICT skills

Personal and Intellectual Autonomy:
- Independent and reflexive learning
- Adaptability and decision making
- Critical self-awareness

Personal Effectiveness:
- Time management and meeting deadlines
- Effective oral and written communication
- Collaboration and contribution to the class community
Additional Class Delivery Information Jointly taught with UG - IMES10100
Keywordsgender,middle east,sexuality,lgbt,women
Contacts
Course organiserDr Ebtihal Mahadeen
Tel: (0131 6)50 4463
Email: Ebtihal.Mahadeen@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Monique Brough
Tel: (0131 6)50 3618
Email: Monique.Brough@ed.ac.uk
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