Suspended in 2025/26
GV4F2 Half Unit
Popular Politics in the Middle East
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof John Chalcraft
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Gender (Rights and Human Rights), MSc in Political Science (Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics) and MSc in Political Science (Global Politics). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process. How to apply: To apply for a place on this course, please write a short statement of 200 words (max) outlining the specific reasons for applying and how the course will benefit your academic/career goals.
Priority will be given to students on the programmes listed in the 'availability' section of the course guide. Places on capped courses cannot be guaranteed.
Students should check that they meet any pre-requisites in the course guide before applying (where applicable).
Course guides can be accessed by clicking on the relevant course code or via the LSE Course Guide webpages.
To apply for a place on this course, please write a short statement of 200 words (max) outlining the specific reasons for applying and how the course will benefit your academic/career goals.
Priority will be given to students on the programmes listed in the 'availability' section of the course guide. Places on capped courses cannot be guaranteed.
Deadline for application: The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 27 September 2024.
Course Convenors will review applications and aim to make offers by 12:00 noon on Monday 30 September 2024.
Any places remaining after this date will be allocated based on priority and written statement - up until course selection closes.
For queries contact: For questions about the academic content of a Department of Government course, students should contact the teacher responsible as listed in the course guide.
For questions about your programme regulations, please contact your programme convenor/director or your Academic Mentor.
For questions about the process for applying to a Department of Government course please contact the Postgraduate Programmes Support Team gov.msc@.lse.ac.uk.
This course is capped.
Course content
The course explores the role of popular politics in the making of the contemporary Middle East and North Africa. The primary focus is on the Arab world but reference is also made to Iran, Israel and Turkey. We study the origins, course and consequences of popular protest, social and political movements, uprisings and revolutions in the region. We ask how a wide variety of subaltern social groups have challenged subordination and brought about new social relations. Our cases are drawn from the early twentieth century to the present. Common topics include the Iranian revolution of 1979, everyday forms of resistance, the first intifada in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (1987-1991), social justice and labour movements, Islamic activism, the Arab uprisings of 2011 and the Rojava Revolution. The course draws on critical, historically-minded and Gramscian approaches, aims to grasp the role of active subjectivity and leadership in context, and evaluates the ways in which a wide variety of movements have aimed to bring about change, and how they have succeeded and/or failed to do so.
Teaching
15 hours of seminars and 15 hours of lectures in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
In order to develop essay skills and obtain feedback outside of formal assessment, students will complete a 2,000 word formative essay on which they will receive feedback as to overall standard, argument, evidence, structure and style. Students will choose one essay from a list of titles. To prepare for the 5,000 word essay, students will submit for approval a proposed title and a two-page handout summarising the question or puzzle that their essay will address. A seminar will also be held as a workshop to assist students prior to the final submission of their 5,000 word essay.
Indicative reading
Abrahamian, Ervand. Iran between Two Revolutions (Princeton University Press, 1982); Achcar, Gilbert. The People Want. (Saqi Books 2012); Bayat, Asef. Street Politics: Poor People's Movements in Iran (Columbia University Press, 1997); Chalcraft, John. Popular Politics in the Making of the Modern Middle East (Cambridge University Press, 2016); Cronin, Stephanie. Subalterns and Social Protest (Routledge, 2007); Kurzman, Charles. The Unthinkable Revolution in Iran (Harvard University Press, 2004); Swedenburg, Ted. Memories of Revolt: The 1936-1939 Rebellion and the Palestinian National Past (Fayetteville: University of Arkansas Press, 2003); Tripp, Charles, The Power and the People (Cambridge: CUP, 2013).
Assessment
Essay (100%, 5000 words)
Key facts
Department: Government
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 12
Average class size 2024/25: 12
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Communication