The Arabian Peninsula (AP) is a strategic space located at the very heart of where the African and Eurasian continents converge. Its geographic, spiritual, and economic significance have long attracted the interest of many extra-regional actors, from the Portuguese to the Americans. The course seeks to de-mystify the modern states and societies of the AP, encompassing those of the Gulf monarchies (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman) and Yemen. Drawing on new theoretical interventions, methodologies, and transnational approaches, as well as a wide range of sources (archival material, travelogues, colonial reports, audiovisuals, and local scholarship), the course aims to equip students with the research skillset needed to effectively analyse and discuss the political, security, and societal dynamics of the AP. The themes discussed in the course will be wide-ranging, and will include topics and issues such as the AP's place within the ever-changing Middle Eastern regional order, post-oil societal transformations, popular mobilizations, the politics of climate change and food security, authoritarian resilience, the risk of state collapse, the empowering/de-stabilizing role of technology, among others. Much of these discussions will be shaped by key questions - how have AP states and societies evolved in the past and present, and what factors and trends will shape their future course of development?
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the histories of state and society in the Arabian Peninsula;
- demonstrate an understanding of the global strategic importance of the Arabian Peninsula;
- demonstrate an understanding of the political, security and societal challenges facing the Arabian Peninsula
- debate critically the ideas and theories that have been advanced to understand the political economy and international relations of the Arabian Peninsula; and
- anticipate and analyse the different possible alternative futures for the region.
Other Information
Indicative Assessment
- Major essay (3000 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Policy report (Group Activity, 1500 words) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Tutorial participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 24 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 2 hours of seminars per week; and
b) 106 hours of independent student research, reading and writing
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Not applicable.
Assumed Knowledge
Familiarity with basic concepts and theories in International Relations and/or familiarity with key features, political dynamics, and histories of Middle Eastern states.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.