Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description Consolidating underlying concepts of sustainable development, citizenship and human rights, and applied professional geography, this module surveys the geopolitics of the MENA – Middle East and North Africa region linked to the geostrategic Mediterranean Sea which lies at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. The region is rich in natural and human resources including oil, gas, fish, agriculture and tourist-related activities. This region has bequeathed an enduring cultural legacy to the world, including the Judaeo-Christian traditions and Islamic civilisation. It encompasses some of the richest and poorest states in the world, and major conflict shatter-belt zones due to economic, political and geopolitical forces. Competition and conflict have debilitated development there, having major impacts on neighbouring regions including Europe, and globally. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Analyse how relationships between physical environments, human and political geography intersect creating processes at various scales - local to regional and global – but with specific geopolitical and risk implications. 2. Understand, research and use sources and methodologies in geography, politics and geopolitics. 3. Relate holistic geographical and political perspectives connecting development, war and conflict resolution. 4. Develop analyses from geopolitical perspectives and write reports. 5. Assess the roles of the UN, Inter-governmental and Regional Organizations, and NGOs connected with the region. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Key geographical concepts and theories defining regions and regional science: Geopolitics, competing centrifugal and centripetal forces, development, war and peacebuilding at local and regional scales, and implications for international security Turkey: Its major physical, economic, cultural and geopolitical bridging roles between Europe/EU and MENA/Islamic cultural realms, the USA / NATO, and Central Asian countries Territory: Colonial and post-colonial perspectives on the creation of the MENA states Geopolitics: Causes of conflict - multiple conflict levels ranging from micro-spatial disputes as in Jerusalem, to the Spanish Territories on the Moroccan coast, to geostrategic choke-points as with the Straits of Gibraltar, Hormuz and Bab el Mandeb, to larger territories as in Kurdistan, Western Sahara and Israel/Palestine; and resources including oil, gas and water Geography: Utopia, religion and militant fundamentalisms Perspectives on the EU and MENA Perspectives on the EU and MENA Unity and diversity Unity and diversity between the Middle East (Mashreq) and North Africa (Maghreb) Urban and rural environments Urban and rural environments Effective academic research, design and production Effective academic research, design and production Planning and conducting research on report writing Planning and conducting research on report writing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles: None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Resources
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