Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	LI America and the Middle East through Politics and Film.
School	Government
Department	Political Sci & Intern'tl Stud
Module Code	08 30142
Module Lead	Scott Lucas
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Exclusions
Description	This course is an innovative approach to the construction, presentation, and negotiation of politics and international relations through film. Specifically, it recognises and evaluates the construction of the “Middle East”, and thus US-Middle East relations, through the presentation of the region and its people in American film. The course links theoretical approaches, such as “Orientalism” and the Other, to the history of US foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa through film's presentation and negotiation of the regions. With this approach to analysis, it offers a new conception of culture and foreign policy from the 1920s (the Sheik) through the US move from neutrality in World War II (Casablanca) through the issues around Israel, Palestine, and “terrorism” (Exodus, Black Sunday) to post-9/11 US constructions of the region and the “threat” (Team America, The Dark Knight, Syriana).
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Consider the development of the “Middle East” in American film from 1920 to the present Use theoretical approaches from Cultural Studies, Film Studies, Politics, and International Relations to develop a critical approach to America and the Middle East through Politics and film Link historical cases to contemporary events Write and edit findings to establish original academic impact
Assessment	30142-01 : 1500 Word Case Study : Coursework (25%) 30142-02 : 3000 Word Essay : Coursework (75%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: 1 x 1,500-word Case Study with document support (25%) 1 x 3,000-word Essay (75%) Reassessment: 1 x 3,000 word essay
Other
Reading List