Course Description

The Middle Eastern Geopolitics course is part of the Middle Eastern Regional Studies program, along with other courses, namely Middle Eastern Politics and Government, Middle Eastern International Relations, and Middle Eastern Political Movements. The difference between the Middle Eastern Geopolitics course and the other two courses lies in its approach, theory, and scope. The approach and theory used in this course are geopolitical, which always connects political policies or events with geographic conditions.

These geographic conditions encompass the territory (land above and below the earth and the oceans) and the people living on the earth. Based on this background, the scope of Middle Eastern Geopolitics will cover the geographic conditions of the Middle East, including: (1) Strategic Position and borders in general, and individual countries; (2) Water Potential (freshwater and marine); (3) Primary natural resources, namely oil; and (4) The population inhabiting the Middle East. This geographic background has significantly influenced domestic politics, foreign policy, and international politics, such as conflicts or wars involving many countries outside the Middle East.

The Middle East is a region located in North Africa and West Asia, bounded by the Mediterranean Sea, and comprising approximately 22 countries. Geographically, this region is characterized by its position as the world’s largest oil producer, accounting for 60% of the world’s oil reserves. It lies between the African and European continents, thus serving as a connecting link. It has seven important seas; it has limited freshwater resources; it is the birthplace of three major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; and the majority of its population is Arab and Muslim.

This geographical distinction presents both a blessing and a curse for the Middle East. This blessing stems from its strategic position, which requires numerous ships to pass through the region. Being the birthplace of three major religions makes the region a popular destination for religious tourism, and its oil reserves make countries extremely wealthy. The majority of its population is Caucasian, the race that gave birth to human civilization. Despite these blessings, the Middle East faces numerous problems, such as war, conflict, foreign interference, difficulties with national and regional integration, and unresolved border disputes.

Geopolitics is the study of political policy, considering geographical elements or the geographic elements that influence political policy. This science will be used to analyze several political events in the Middle East.

Expected Learning Outcome

1. Students can explain geopolitical science and geopolitical figures, and apply geopolitical theories to analyze Middle Eastern political phenomena toward peace, justice, and civilization.
2. Students can analyze why the Middle East’s gifts can become disasters, such as war, conflict, foreign intervention, difficulties in national and regional integration, unresolved water and border issues. This ability will encourage lifelong learning.
3. Students can analyze several Middle Eastern political issues using a geopolitical approach, such as the Arab-Israeli conflict, the conflict between Iraq and its neighbors, the conflict between Saudi Arabia and its neighbors, the conflict in North Africa, and the conflict between Syria and its neighbors. This ability to analyze conflict can then develop into the ability to foster solidarity, creativity, and nonviolent activism.
4. Students can defend their arguments regarding the influence of oil on political stability in the Middle East and the potential for water issues to lead to open conflict between Middle Eastern countries.

Syllabus

Read the full syllabus here.