Pol Sc 435Office: 2023 Pol Sc
The State and SocietyRes: 2630-0158
A. EzzelArabOff: 2615-1907
Spring 2014e-mail:
Course Plan
Objectives
This course aims at exploring the evolution of the ‘State’ as a social construct, some of the forms it took in various historical contexts, theories that conceptualize its role and significance, and concludes with an examination of the ‘State’ in the Islamic, Arab, and Egyptian contexts.
Course Material
The course will be conducted through specific readings assigned for each session. The attached list of texts can be useful for general reference purposes. Some of the listed texts will also be used to varying extents in the selections of reading material.
Assignments
Class Discussions: Assigned readings must be done before class sessions. The mark on "Class Discussions" is meant to be given on class discussion! It will reflect informed, active, and substantive contribution, and could be anything from 0 to 12. To ensure regular assessment of class participation, this mark will be divided over the different parts of the course and will be given in three separate portions. Weight: 15 points
In-Class Critical Essays: Anopen-book critical essaywill be written in class after each of the first two parts of the course. These will be given on the dates shown in the ‘Course Structure, and each will carry a weight of 12.5 points. Weight: 25 points.
Research Project: Each class member will conduct a research project. Each project will be phased out into the components shown below, and the assessment will be based on the evolution of that project throughout the semester. Each component will be due on the date shown below(stated also in the ‘Course Structure’) Weight: 60 points
(a)Abstract: A 300-word statement that answers three basic questions: What is the specific research question / topic of the project? What is its significance? What are its perceived elements? The choice of question and submission of abstract will be preceded by consulting with me to agree the topic. This process should start as early as possible in the semester.
(b)Annotated Bibliography: An annotated list of sources will be attached to the abstract and will cover all major elements of the project as perceived at the time of submission.
(c)Progress Report: A 1 ½-2-page progress report*will be due some 7 weeks after the submission of abstracts. This will be sent by e-mail to all of the class. It will report on the progress made, difficulties faced, the remaining parts of the project, and the main findings at the time of its submission. (*using Comic Sans MS Font, 10 points, and 1.15 spaced lines with a space following paragraphs)
(d)Workshop: Progress reports will be discussed in a workshop format in the first class session after their due dates.
(e)Conference Presentation: A class conference will be held on Saturday May 17th, during which a 12-15 minute presentation will be given on each project. This will precede the due date of paper submission by a few days only; conference discussions may be helpful in the final tuning up.
(f)Final Paper: This should be of some 3,000-4,000 words and is due on May 23rd. This will be some 11 weeks after the submission of abstracts; the date is the one originally scheduled for the final exam.
Weights:
(a)Abstract8March 2
(b)Annotated Bibliography6March 2
(c)Progress Report12April 20
(d)Workshop4April 23
(e)Conference10May 17
(f)Paper20May 23
60
Some Selected References
(Tentative List)
Colin Hay et al, The state: Theories and issues(2006)
Joel Migdal, State in society : studying how states and societies transformand constitute one another(2001)
Linda Weiss, The myth of the powerless state(1998)
Linda Weiss (ed.), States in the global economy: Bringing domestic institutionsback in(2002)
Gabriel Almond et al (eds.), Understanding political development: An analytic study(1987)
Bertrand Badie, The imported state: The westernization of the political order(2000)
---, The sociology of the state(1983)
Khaldun al-Naqib, al-Dawlah al-tasallutị̄yah fī al-Mashriq al-‘Arabī al-mu’āsịr(1991)
---. Society and state in the Gulf and Arab Peninsula: A differentperspective(1990)
GhassānSalāmah et al, al-Mujtama’ wa-al-dawlah fī al-watạn al-‘Arabī(1988).
Ahmad Bahaa al-Din, Shar’īyat al-sultạh fī al-‘ālam al-‘Arabī (1984)
Samuel Huntington,The soldier and the state; the theory and politics of civilmilitary relations.(1985)