Middle East in Global Politics: Islam, Conflict and Development (MSc)

Our MSc Middle East in Global Politics: Islam, Conflict and Development will deepen your knowledge and understanding of the history and politics of the Middle East and Islam, while honing your ability to make well-informed, critical analyses of the region in the context of global politics.

The programme has its theoretical foundations in international relations and political science, using these as tools to explore and analyse the region's domestic and international politics and current concerns, including sectarianism and persistent authoritarianism. Particular attention is given to the intersection between Islam, conflict and development.

Recognising that Islam is at the centre of urgent discussions and disputes today, the programme looks into key issues including Muslim identity, religious extremism and violence, and the impact of American foreign policy in the region, including the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the ongoing conflict within Syria. The programme also uses interdisciplinary scholarship to help you make comprehensive, balanced analyses of contemporary Islam and the Middle East in relation to the UK and the world.

The core modules explore the domestic political structures and international relations of countries in the Middle East, and how ideas of ethnicity and nationalism generate identities as well as tension and conflict, or how theories and institutions of global governance have arisen in response to the impact of globalisation. You go on to choose two option modules from a wide variety of topics including international security, American foreign policy, globalisation, political theory and sociology, nationalism and religion, and war and conflict. You will also learn research techniques that will enable you to specialise and write a dissertation on the subject that interests you most.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

Graduates can pursue careers in international organisations/NGOs, policy research, political forecasting, national and supranational service, and journalism. Possible professions include journalist, Civil Service fast streamer, politician’s assistant, or Diplomatic Services operational officer. This degree can also be useful in becoming a social researcher or human resources officer.

We offer a comprehensive Careers Service to help you advance your career, while our in-house, professional recruitment consultancy, Birkbeck Talent, works with London’s top employers to help you gain work experience that fits in with your evening studies.