UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit examines the foreign policy directions of Middle Eastern and South Asian states in the contemporary international system. Students explore the context in which these states conduct their foreign relations: historical links between these states, the impact of colonisation and postcolonisation in shaping their identities, and the relationship between them and the changing dynamics of international politics are considered. The unit focuses on questions of state and human security, and explores how major and small states in these regions have responded to international pressures in the post-Cold War world. It explores the nature and limits of growing interdependence between South Asia and the Middle East in political, social, cultural and economic spheres with reference to select case studies. Students are given the opportunity to discuss the impact of the globalising world on the nature and limits of cooperation and competition between these states with reference to two sets of issues: (1) human security issues such as migrant workers, child trafficking, population control, women's rights and food security; and (2) developments in Palestine, Kashmir, Afghanistan and the Arab Spring. Students are encouraged to link contemporary developments in these regions with available literature, so that they appreciate the value of ongoing knowledge acquisition, and develop the ability to critically analyse available ideas and discourses.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 option in the Political Science and International Relations; Philosophy, Politics and Economics; International Relations major sequences
• Level 3 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate advanced knowledge about the nature of South Asian and Middle Eastern foreign relations; and the impact of different regional and extra-regional actors, institutions and policies; (2) critically explain and evaluate relevant ideas, theories and concepts that seek to explain relationships between South Asia and the Middle East with each other and the international system; (3) creatively apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to independently and collaboratively address challenges, crises and change in South Asian and Middle Eastern relations with the international system; (4) competently apply basic Political Science and International Relations methods and skills to designing and executing research on South Asian and Middle Eastern foreign relations and their interaction with culture, religion and domestic politics; and (5) effectively communicate knowledge, ideas, analyses and arguments about South Asian and Middle Eastern foreign relations and politics in different formats.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tutorial participation and assignment; (2) written work; and (3) examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Felix Pal

Unit rules

Prerequisites

12 points of Social Sciences and/or Humanities study at level 2

Advisable prior study

Students should ideally have studied level 1
and level 2 units of the Major.