The Training Unit in Al Sharq Forum in Istanbul-Turkey announces the opening of an academic competition to create online Mini- Courses that will be offered at Al Sharq Academic Platform. The courses will include specialized topics in Al-Sharq Studies.

Competition Course Topics:

1- “Political History of Al-Sharq Region”: This course should include the history of Al-Sharq region (since the end of World War I), major factors that shaped its modern depiction, and the history and challenges of establishing modern states in the region.

2- “Modes of Governance in Al-Sharq Region”: This course should discuss the diverse governing systems in the region and their problematic practices, such as political instability and lack of good governance.

3- “Non-State Actors in Al-Sharq Region”: This course should include discussing the growing role of non-state political actors in performing a vital role in Al-Sharq countries outside the frame of the state, let be in classical forms as International Incorporates, International Nongovernmental Organizations, and International Violence Groups etc., or in the revival of primitive loyalties (Tribal, Sectarian etc).

4- “Failed State Phenomenon in Al-Sharq Region”: This course should discuss the concept of failed state, its indicators, theories that aim to elaborate on such phenomenon, and its applications on dilapidated countries of the region.

5- “‘Deep State (Shadow Government) Phenomenon in Al-Sharq Region”: This course should study the formation and indications of this phenomenon. The course should also discuss the role of institutional interest groups and non-elected bodies in policy-making, in exerting pressure on elected incumbents and in opposing democratic transition in the countries of the region.

6- “The Problematic Dichotomy of Religion and Secularism in Al-Sharq”: This course should look into various concepts related to both Religion and Secularism, the historical context for the formation and development of the so-called Religious/ Secular dichotomy and the manifestations of this controversy in Al-Sharq region.

7- “Military and Politics in Al-Sharq Region”: This course should include the study of the relationship between the civil state and the military institutes in political regimes in Al-Sharq, and possible approaches to overcome the power struggle between the two in order to achieve stable democratic political regimes.

8- “Al-Sharq Economics”: This course should include an economic analysis of resources and production patterns in Al-Sharq, opportunities and challenges of economic integration as well as the stipulations of the international economic systems and international organizations.

9- “Al-Sharq Peoples”: This course should include the study of the social structure of Al-Sharq region and the most significant topics related to it (traditional versus modern systems- religion- authority etc.).

10- “Social Peace in Al-Sharq Region”: This course should include the study of the background and fundamentals of social conflicts in the region (religious, ethnic, cultural etc.) and some of the possible approaches to cope with such conflicts to reinforce peace.

Course content:

-Each course should consist of four to six hours of lecture time (apart from any other filmed materials used by the lecturer) that should be divided into several parts (20- 30 minutes each).

-The course language can be in Arabic or English.

How to Apply:

Competition is open to all academicians who are PhD graduates or researchers in related fields of speciality (Exceptions can be made for some MA graduates).
For participation, a contestant should

1) Choose one of the aforementioned competition course topics

2) Prepare a course syllabus, which should include a definition of the course, its objectives, its subtopics for each session (for a sum of 10 to 15 subtopics), and basic textbooks and academic resources (five at least).

3) Record a three-minute average recording in which the contestant introduces his/her course’s definition, objectives and elements (high quality recommended).

4) Send a CV (Curriculum Vitae), the course syllabus, and the link for his/her recording to the email contact M.Affan@sharqforum.org

Due date for applications: 30 June 2016

Contest Reward:

There will be one winner for each course topic, and he/she will be invited to Istanbul to record his/her Mini-Course for Al-Sharq Academic Platform and will receive a financial reward of $1200.