Monica Ronchi

21st September 2015 to 11th December 2015

ARA1036 Histories of the Middle East, 600 to 1800 C.E.

Module Convenors: Dr. Alam Saleh, Dr. William Gallois

This first-year module is designed to provide an introduction (including for those of you with no prior background) to the complex history of the Middle East utilising a variety of sources and providing relevant social and historical context. Moreover, this module helps students become aware of and begin to appreciate the multi-faceted nature of Middle Eastern polities. This context helps students to appreciate how historians interpret the past and the nature of scholarly debate about different interpretations of that past, allowing new academics to participate with confidence in these debates, as well as providing them with a sound basis for your future studies.

As Postgraduate Teaching Assistant on the Module, I lead the two seminars organised for this module, focusing on a range of practical issues related to the study of History in the Middle East and on researching the region as a whole. I was in charge of marking essay (together with the lecturer on the module, Dr. Alam Saleh) and held regular meeting with my students during and outside of office hours.

5th January 2015 to 24th March 2016

POL1023, ARA1010 Politics and Economy of the Contemporary Middle East

Module Convenor: Dr. Omar Ashour, Dr. Andrea Mura

This first year module introduces students to the politics and political economy of the Middle East. The module is structured around main themes which provide a comparative perspective on politics in the Middle East. It particularly tackles the Arab-Israeli conflict, the political dynamics of key states (Egypt, Iran, Arab countries of the Gulf, Maghreb, Iraq), the politics of Islam, the political economy of oil, the politics of gender and human development, democratisation, and major wars.

As Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, I was charged with running three of the seminars groups organised for the module, using concepts analysed during lectures to engage the students in a critical analysis of various topic surrounding the region. Moreover, I was tasked with marking a large portion of the total amount of essays submitted for summative assessment. 

5th January 2015 to 27th March 2015

ARA3158 Armed Islamist Movements: Jihadism and Beyond

Module convenor: Dr. Omar Ashour

This third year module aims to provide students with an understanding of the complex relationships between Islamism and various types of political violence including insurgency and terrorism. The module covers the major Jihadist groups as well as other versions of armed Islamist movements in the Middle East, North Africa, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Europe. It is an essential module for understanding armed Islamist movements’ behaviour, structures and ideologies.This module is suitable for both specialist and non-specialist. 

As Postgraduate Teaching Assistant on the module, I was in charge of running seminars with all the students. These were structured through role-play of major events in the development of these movements, challenging the student's perspective and his research abilities. Moroever, I was in charge of all first marking on the module.

22nd September 2014 to 12th November 2014

ARA2160 Islamist Movements: From the Muslim Brothers to Al-Qaida

Module convenor: Dr. Omar Ashour

This second- year module provides an introduction to the study of major Islamist movements in the Middle East and Central Asia. Students are introduced to Ikhwanism, and the story of the Muslim Brothers as manifested in movements in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The module covers in detail the behaviour of these movements, their ideologies, and promote comparison of their similarities and differences in a cross-regional setting. Other key topics include Jihad (holy war), Shiite Islam and Secular Islam.Students will address the causes and the political consequences of the rise of Islamist movements in Muslim-majority states.

As Postgraduate Teaching Assistant on the module, I was in charge of running seminars with all the students. These were structured through role-play of major events in the development of these movements, challenging the student's perspective and his research abilities. Moreover, I was in charge of all first marking on the module.