MSc Middle East in Global Politics: Islam, Conflict and Development

This course provides a comprehensive analysis of the political, social, and economic dynamics shaping the Middle East region. It explores the intersections of Islam, conflict, and development in the context of global politics, with a particular focus on the current challenges facing the region. Students will gain a deep understanding of the complex factors driving conflict and instability in the Middle East, as well as the potential solutions for promoting peace and sustainable development. The course is ideal for those interested in pursuing careers in international relations, diplomacy, development, or journalism, with a focus on the Middle East.

Additional Information

The course will include lectures, seminars, workshops, and guest lectures from leading experts in the field. Students will have opportunities to engage in group projects, debates, and simulations, as well as conducting research projects on topics related to the course. The course will also provide students with the opportunity to study Arabic language and culture, which is essential for understanding the Middle East region.

A World-Class Education in the Heart of London: Why Choose Birkbeck for Your MSc in Middle East Politics?

Birkbeck University of London is an ideal choice for this course due to its excellent reputation in the field of politics and international relations. The university has a long history of producing high-quality research and teaching on the Middle East, and its location in central London provides easy access to a wide range of cultural, political, and economic institutions relevant to the course. Additionally, Birkbeck's strong focus on interdisciplinary approaches to studying the Middle East ensures that students gain a comprehensive understanding of the region from multiple perspectives.

Our MSc Middle East in Global Politics: Islam, Conflict, and Development will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the history and politics of the Middle East and Islam while honing your ability to make well-informed, critical analyses of the region in the context of global politics. The program has its theoretical foundations in international relations and political science, using these as tools to explore and analyze the region's domestic and international politics and current concerns, including sectarianism and persistent authoritarianism. Particular attention is given to the intersection between Islam, conflict, and development. Recognizing that Islam is at the center of urgent discussions and disputes today, the program looks into key issues including Muslim identity, religious extremism and violence, and the impact of American foreign policy in the region, including the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the ongoing conflict within Syria. The program also uses interdisciplinary scholarship to help you make comprehensive, balanced analyses of contemporary Islam and the Middle East in relation to the UK and the world. The core modules explore the domestic political structures and international relations of countries in the Middle East, and how ideas of ethnicity and nationalism generate identities as well as tension and conflict, or how theories and institutions of global governance have arisen in response to the impact of globalization. You go on to choose two option modules from a wide variety of topics including international security, American foreign policy, globalisation, political theory and sociology, nationalism and religion, and war and conflict. You will also learn research techniques that will enable you to specialize and write a dissertation on the subject that interests you most.

A second-class honors degree (2:2) or above in humanities or social science, though other qualifications may be considered.