Middle East Studies 380 - Seminar: Authoritarianism in the Middle East
Sem:Authoritarianism-Mid East
Fall
2025
01
4.00
Steven Heydemann
W 1:20 PM - 4:00 PM
Smith College
MES-380-01-202601
sheydemann@smith.edu
This upper-level seminar focuses on the durability of authoritarian regimes in the Middle East and North Africa. The course examines the emergence of authoritarian regimes in the Arab world; their consolidation into full-fledged systems of rule; patterns and variation in authoritarian governance among Arab states; the political economy of authoritarianism; state-society relations under authoritarian rule; and authoritarian responses to democratization, economic globalization and pressures for political reform. Prior course work on the history, politics, sociology, anthropology of the modern Middle East is useful. Restrictions: Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission required.
[CE] JR/SR only