POL 359 - Topics in Comparative Politics

Fall 2025: Politics of the Gulf States

Instructor
Kalin

This course explores the contemporary politics, economics, and society of the countries bordering the Persian Gulf, in particular Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Through a multidisciplinary approach and robust engagement with both academic literature and current news coverage, students will gain an understanding of the transformations underway in this strategic region. Key topics include U.S. relations with the Middle East, regional security policies, authoritarian governance, oil rentierism and economic diversification, human rights, social liberalization and Islam. Case studies, class discussions and presentations, and guest speakers with regional expertise will give students the analytical tools to critically assess developments in the Gulf and their representation in the media. The course is taught by this year’s Batten professor, who has reported from the region for more than a decade.