School/Department: School of Humanities and Social Sciences/ Political Science Department
Course Name/ Course Number / Course Format:
POLS 4030: Media Depictions of Contemporary Egyptian Politics Winter 2021: Semi-synchronous Course
Contact Information/Office Hours:
Name: Dr. Maye Kassem
Email address: [email protected] Office Hours: by appointment
Communication Procedures:
Response time: For any queries, please send an email, I will be checking my email daily and will respond to any emails I receive within 12 hours (weekdays and weekends). If there are any announcements, a blackboard email will be sent to students’ registered email. Please ensure that the TA is ccd in any emails sent. Also, students have the cellphone number of the teaching assistant in case of emergency they may contact the TA. A class WhatsApp group will be created with all members of class to allow students to have contact with each other and allow for additional instructor/student engagement.
Course Description:
This capstone course is intended for all majors. Since this course is intended for all majors, it will include both lectures and online interactive sessions. This allows for students not familiar with Egyptian politics to gain an understanding of the Egyptian political system. This course offers an in-depth analysis of the nature and dynamics of modern Egyptian politics. In order to familiarize students with post-1952 Egypt, assessments of Egyptian politics will be made through movie depictions of each regime. Once the trends and general imprints of each era are established, this course will then focus on the major issues and themes confronting and shaping as a republic and eventually leading to Egypt's post 2011 political arena. Such themes will include but are not limited to the following: The fall of Mubarak regime, the rise of the second republic, and the subsequent parliamentary and presidential elections. This second part of this course will analyze the patterns civil participation, the role of the military, as well as the role of Muslim Brotherhood and their fall from power after the 30th of June.
Course Learning Outcomes:
Students who have successfully completed this course can expect to:
1. Explain the different foundations for support in authoritarian systems.
2. Compare different tactics for authoritarian stability in different political regimes and identify these reoccurring patterns in other political systems.
3. Explain the main obstacles for the establishment of a democratic regime.
4. Analyze Egyptian politics and society and the relationship between citizen and state.
5. Critically analyze the Egyptian political system and identify trends in authoritarian systems.
6. Identify the different means of affecting societal perceptions of authoritarian systems.
7. Apply research skills to be able to create a valid research question and justify their argument with the support of academic analysis through different
resources and to structure the research paper to produce an analytically valid paper.
8. Present evidence supported arguments to defend their opinion
Course Materials:
All readings are uploaded via Blackboard
Course Structure:
This course follows the semi-synchronous approach. Informational content will be delivered via pre-recorded sessions to allow students to listen and take notes carefully. This ensures that students have equal access to course information without any technological disruptions. Students are required to engage through Blackboard discussion threads to allow time for thorough brainstorming and
reflection on the course material. Furthermore, live discussions and debates will be conducted through several Zoom sessions. The first 15 minutes will be dedicated towards addressing any questions students have regarding any class material. This allows for students to engage with their peers and I on opposing points of view regarding different issues within this course. Therefore, attending these sessions is mandatory and will count towards students’ participation grade. If for any reason students cannot attend these sessions they will be required to submit a 1,000-word reflection prompt on the topic of the day. Failure to do so will result in deductions in the participation grade.
Course Content:
Unit 1: Egypt Under Nasser
Lecture/Date Topic Activity Readings
Lecture 1:
January 3, 2021
Introduction to Course and Topic
Live Zoom Session
Gamal ‘Abd al-Nasser Iconology, Ideology and Demonology by Leonard Binder
Nasserism’s Legal Legacy: Accessibility, Accountability, and Authoritarianism by Nathan J. Brown
Nasser and Nasserism as Perceived in Modern Egyptian Literature Lecture 2:
January 4, 2021
Nasser: The Foundations of the Egyptian Political System
pre-recorded lecture via Panopto
Lecture 3:
January 5, 2021
Nasser: the authoritarian ruler behind the national hero
Class
Discussion (via Zoom)
-Watch El
Karnak through Allusions to Songs by Gabriel M.
Rosenbaum
Nasser and Nasserism by Peter Mansfield
Lecture 4:
January 6, 2021
Nasser Debate Activity
(live Zoom session)
Unit 2: Egypt Under Sadat
Lecture/Date Topic Activity Readings
Lecture 5:
January 10, 2021
Sadat: The Corrective Revolution (pre- recorded
session via Panopto)
Egypt under Sadat:
Elites, Power Structure, and Political Change in a Post-Populist State Author(s): Raymond A.
Hinnebusch
Peace Before Freedom:
Diplomacy and
Repression in Sadat's Egypt by Jason Brownlee
Egypt after Nasser by Peter Mansfield Lecture 6:
January 11, 2021
-Live Zoom Q&A
-Class Discussion
-Zawgot Ragol Mohim
(independent student session) Lecture 7:
January 12, 2021
- Sadat Debate Activity (live Zoom session)
class activity #1 via Blackboard Discussion Thread (graded)
Lecture 8:
January 13, 2021
Midterm (Units 1 and 2)
Unit 3: Egypt Under Mubarak
Lecture/Date Topic Activity Readings
Lecture 9 Egypt Under -Watch Required Readings:
January 17, 2021
Mubarak: Main themes of the Mubarak Regime (pre- recorded session via Panopto)
Yacoubian Building
The Politics of Laughter:
Nasser, Sadat, and Mubarek in Egyptian Political Jokes Author(s):
Samer S. Shehata
In the Guise of
Democracy (Chapter 1:
Patronage in Controlled Democracies) by Maye Kassem
In the Guise of
Democracy (Chapter 3:
Political Parties) by Maye Kassem
The Muslim Brotherhood:
The Organization and Policies of a Global Islamist Movement (Chapter 3: The Muslim Brothers in Egypt) by Ana Soage and Jorge
Franganillo (2010) Recommended Readings:
Egypt under Mubarak by Banerji, A.K
In the Guise of
Democracy (Chapter 4:
The Islamists) by Maye Kassem
Evaluating Egyptian Reform by Michelle Dunne
Lecture 10 January 18, 2021
-Live Zoom Discussion and Class Activity
Unit 4: 2011 Revolution and Aftermath
Lecture/Date Topic Activity Readings
Lecture 11 January 20, 2021
The 2011 Revolution: The Foundations of the Second Republic -Live Zoom Discussion Session
-online class activity #2 via Blackboard Discussion Thread (graded) -Watch Eshtebak
Timeline: Egypt’s Revolution (2011)
Analysis: Egypt (Revolutionary Movements): Muslim Brotherhood, National Association for Change, Revolutionary Youth Coalition, April 6th Youth Movement, Kifaya, “We Are All Khaled Saeed”
Facebook Page) Lecture 14
January 21, 2020
-Final Exam Unit 3 and 4 (take home)
Carnegie Endowment (2011)
The Brotherhood’s Dilemma by Marc Lynch
The Egyptian Elections:
Why the Islamists Won by Samuel Tadros (2012)
The Idea of the Civil State in Egypt: Its Evolution and Political Impact following the 2011 Revolution by Limor Lavie
Course Requirements
Assessment/Grading Criteria:
Students are expected to present a 15-minute presentation pertaining to a topic of their choice based on the course subject matter. Students are
expected to submit an abstract for approval to ensure that the topic meets the course guidelines. Furthermore, students will record their presentations and upload them to Google Drive.
A take home midterm exam where students will be expected to answer an essay question from a choice presented in the exam. The same applies to the final exam that will be held according to the university schedule.
A reflection paper of 1,500-2,000 words addressing an assigned movie to be watched at home will also be submitted on an assigned date, the topic of the reflection paper can be derived from a topic of your choice.
Two different class activities will be conducted via Blackboard Discussion Thread. Students will be given two days to complete these activities to allow for reflection.
Evaluation Strategy:
Assignment # of instances Total % of Grade
Presentation 1 15%
Participation 1 10%
Reflection Paper 1 15%
Class Activities 2 10% (5% each)
Midterm Exam 1 25%
Final Exam 1 25%
Course Grading:
Please note that the course is based on the following grading system:
A Category (100-96 A, 95-90 A-) B Category (89-87 B+, 86-84 B, 83-80 B-) C Category (79-77 C+, 76-74 C, 73-70 C-) D Category (69-67 D+, 66-60 D)
F Category (59 and below)
Important Dates and Deadlines:
Midterm (Units 1-2): January 13, 2021
Abstract (Presentation) Due: January 14, 2021 Reflection Paper Due: January 19, 2021 (midnight) Presentations Due: January 20, 2021 (midnight) Final Exam: January 21, 2021
University Policies
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend all online lectures and interact. This will ensure that students have completed the relevant course lectures and readings. Students are also expected to engage with other students via the discussion threads and the online class sessions.
Academic Integrity Policy
AUC academic fraud and dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following categories:
-cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, multiple submissions, obtaining unfair advantage, unauthorized access to academic or administrative systems, aiding and abetting, impersonation, threatening harm, and copyright infringement.
For more elaboration about AUC academic integrity policy, please check the following link Academic Integrity
https://documents.aucegypt.edu/Docs/Policies/AUC%20Acceptable%20Use%
20Policy.pdf
https://documents.aucegypt.edu/Docs/Policies/Code%20of%20Ethics.pdf
https://documents.aucegypt.edu/Docs/about_Policies/Reformatted%20disabili ty%20policy.pdf
Online Course Requirements
Participation requirements:
For students to do well in this course they must keep up to date with the online lectures, missing even one lecture can cause students to be confused in future lectures. This is not a self-paced course, students are expected to participate in the
online discussion sessions via Blackboard as well as read other student’s responses.
Students must attend the live Zoom sessions and ensure that their cameras are on during the entire session. I strongly urge you to check Blackboard and your emails on a daily bases. When a new discussion thread is created, students will be informed via email. Your contribution must be insightful and reflect a depth of understanding in the subject matter.
Online Course Components:
This course has several required online components. Students are responsible for completing the reading material in a timely manner, listen to the lectures uploaded via Panopto, participate in class activities via Blackboard, as well as attend the Zoom lectures. Students must routinely check their emails for important course
announcements.
Course navigation:
All class material and relevant information will be available on Blackboard. Upon opening the class page you will find the syllabus, reader, instructions for all class requirements, academic calendar for Winter 2021. On the left panel of the class homepage, you will find several important links. In that panel, students will find the tools option which will direct them to the class discussion threads as well as the Panopto page where lectures will be uploaded.
Netiquette Guidelines:
Communication is very important in this online course. In order to maintain a positive online environment for our class, we all need to follow the netiquette guidelines summarized below.
All students are expected to:
1. Show respect for the instructors and for other students in the class.
2. Express differences of opinion in a polite and rational way.
3. Maintain an environment of constructive criticism when commenting on the work of other students.
4. Stay on topic when involved in group discussions or other collaborative activities.
5. Be careful when using acronyms. If you use an acronym it is best to spell out its meaning first, and then put the acronym in parentheses afterward, for example: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). After that you can use the acronym freely throughout your message.
6. Use good grammar and spelling, and avoid using text messaging shortcuts.
Information and Technology Literacy:
Off-Campus library access:
The university library website is lib.aucegypt.edu. When you access one of our libraries' subscription databases from off-campus, you will be directed to a "proxy- screen" which asks you for a username/password to identify you as an AUC Community member. Once you enter your AUC username and password (details below) you will be directed to the database.
Technology requirements:
Students will need Internet access and a PC computer or a Macintosh with the latest version of a web browser. Students can access Blackboard/ Moodle anywhere Internet access is available. There are some guidelines to follow that will make the learning experience much more productive. Below are some recommendations:
• Firefox Web or Google Chrome browser are the browsers that work best with Blackboard and Moodle.
• If wireless connectivity problems are encountered, it is best to switch to a hardwired connection
Services for students with disabilities:
If you are a student with a disability who requires accommodations, please contact the Office of Disabilities Services during the first few days of the semester. More information can be found at https://www.aucegypt.edu/student/well-being/disability- services
Student Resources Centers
University Writing Center:
Provides a place where all University students, faculty, and staff are welcome to discuss their writing with trained writing consultants. The AUC serves online students. More information can be found here,
https://www.aucegypt.edu/academics/mohamed-taymour-writing-and- communication-center/writing-center-reservation-system
University Career Center Services:
The American University in Cairo’s Career Center offers a variety of services to help students and graduates identify their career goals and paths, as well as gain work experience while studying at AUC.
https://caps.aucegypt.edu/students/index.htm
Other Elements to Consider
Expectations for Instructor Participation in Discussion Boards:
The discussion boards serve two main purposes. Students will be able to post questions regarding material, and participate in class activities. A discussion thread will be created for questions; students can view the questions of other students as
well as my responses. These discussion boards allow students to engage with each other in an environment which fosters clear communication and collaboration.
