IR4607 Britain and Iraq 1914-2004
Academic year
2024 to 2025 Semester 1
Curricular information may be subject to change
Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.
Key module information
SCOTCAT credits
30
SCQF level
SCQF level 10
Availability restrictions
Not automatically available to General Degree students
Planned timetable
Tuesday 3pm - 4pm
Module coordinator
Dr L F Middup
Module Staff
Dr L Middup
Module description
This module looks at Britain's role in the Iraq War of 2003. In order to do this, it goes back and looks at Britain's policy towards and involvement in Iraq and the Middle East since the end of the First World War. There are a number of questions that run through this module: what role should the United Kingdom play in world affairs?; what's the nature of the UK's security relationship with the United States and what are the costs and benefits of this relationship?; what role does the UK play as one of the permanent five members of the UN Security Council?; and what is the UK's relationship in the triangular relationship between the UK, US and Europe, both in the sense of its fellow members of the European Union and in the sense of its fellow members of NATO.
Relationship to other modules
Pre-requisites
BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006
Assessment pattern
2 x 2500 word essays = 50%, 1x Simulation Exercise = 10%, 1 x 3500 word Essay = 40%
Re-assessment
3-hour Written Examination = 100%
Learning and teaching methods and delivery
Weekly contact
One lecture (x10 weeks), one seminar (x10 weeks)
Scheduled learning hours
20
Guided independent study hours
292
Intended learning outcomes
- Have an understanding of Britain’s relationship with the modern state of Iraq from the early 20th century to the early 21st century.
- Have a nuanced overview of the following thematic areas: the UK’s relationship with the greater Middle East, Iraq in particular, the UK’s relationship with the United States, and the UK’s relationship with multilateral organisations, particularly the United Nations and the European Union.
- Have an understanding of how the UK makes foreign and defence policy.
- Be able to assess critically historical and scientific research on this topic.
- Develop their written and oral skills through essays, examinations, and presentations in the tutorial program.