030607 KU Israel, the Westbank & Gaza (2026W)
The Middle East Conflict as History of International and Constitutional Law
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Mo 14.09.2026 00:01 to Mo 28.09.2026 23:59
- Deregistration possible until We 14.10.2026 23:59
Details
max. 150 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
- Thursday 08.10. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 15.10. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 15.10. 18:30 - 20:00 Hörsaal U10 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- N Thursday 22.10. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 29.10. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 05.11. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 12.11. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 19.11. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 26.11. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 03.12. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 10.12. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 17.12. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 07.01. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 14.01. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
- Thursday 21.01. 08:00 - 10:00 Hörsaal U18 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
The Middle East Conflict is arguably one of the world’s most complex and persistent trouble spots. Hidden behind the horrors of actual warfare, restless diplomacy and a public discourse frequently not lacking in all too easy proposals for solutions, there is a whole array of problems, some of them dating back to the times, when, what is today Israel, the Westbank and Gaza, was ruled by Ottoman Turkey. By making a turn to history and by exploring the Middle East conflict from the perspective of international and constitutional law from the 18th century this class aims at providing a better understanding of some of the core issues, which are at the heart of the present conflict. Along the way the class will link the current problems to general challenges of international and constitutional law, such as the meaning of sovereignty, national self-determination, the relationship between the secular and the sacred, the relationship between state and nation or the land question. As part of the attempt to explore the Middle East conflict in the context of international and constitutional law the class will pay particular attention to the transfer of legal institutes and concepts developed within the Habsburg Empire in order to contain the nationality conflicts to the Middle East.
Assessment and permitted materials
The students' achievement will be assessed on the basis of three factors:
1) Regular and active participation in the classes & participation in two "excursions" to a relevant archive or institution in Vienna and/or a lecture in addition to the regular classes. At present two such "excursions are on offer, one on 15 October, and one on 5 November, with details provided in class.
2) Critical commentary & translation of a brief part of an instrument of international or constitutional law relating to the Middle East and/or the early modern era (Suitable options will be offered or may be suggested by the students on their own initative). The critical commentary & translation is due by 15 February 2027 at the very latest. If submitted earlier, it will be corrected and marked earlier.
3) Instead of a written exam a brief oral presentation of the critical commentary & translation will be discussed in class and subsequently assessed. Presentations may be presented on 21 January in lecture theatre U18 on 5 February, 9 February and 13 February.
The ratio betweeen the three factors is 2 (regular & active participation): 3 (Critical commentary & translation): 1 (oral presentation ).
1) Regular and active participation in the classes & participation in two "excursions" to a relevant archive or institution in Vienna and/or a lecture in addition to the regular classes. At present two such "excursions are on offer, one on 15 October, and one on 5 November, with details provided in class.
2) Critical commentary & translation of a brief part of an instrument of international or constitutional law relating to the Middle East and/or the early modern era (Suitable options will be offered or may be suggested by the students on their own initative). The critical commentary & translation is due by 15 February 2027 at the very latest. If submitted earlier, it will be corrected and marked earlier.
3) Instead of a written exam a brief oral presentation of the critical commentary & translation will be discussed in class and subsequently assessed. Presentations may be presented on 21 January in lecture theatre U18 on 5 February, 9 February and 13 February.
The ratio betweeen the three factors is 2 (regular & active participation): 3 (Critical commentary & translation): 1 (oral presentation ).
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
- students may not miss more than two regular classes
- participation in two excursions to a relevant archive or institution in Vienna and/or a lecture in addition to the regular classes (for those unable to attend additional options will be on offer)
- critical commentary and translation of an instrument of international or constitutional law relating to the Middle East and/or the premodern era
- positive evaluation of the oral presentation
- participation in two excursions to a relevant archive or institution in Vienna and/or a lecture in addition to the regular classes (for those unable to attend additional options will be on offer)
- critical commentary and translation of an instrument of international or constitutional law relating to the Middle East and/or the premodern era
- positive evaluation of the oral presentation
Examination topics
- the subject matter covered during the course
- reading assignments on the e-learning platform
- Script, which will be available at the Facultas book-shop on the ground floor of the Juridicum in November 2026.
- reading assignments on the e-learning platform
- Script, which will be available at the Facultas book-shop on the ground floor of the Juridicum in November 2026.
Reading list
- Reading assignments as provided on moodle
- Script, which will be available at the Facultas book-shop on the ground floor of the Juridicum in November 2026.
- Script, which will be available at the Facultas book-shop on the ground floor of the Juridicum in November 2026.
Association in the course directory
Last modified: Mo 12.10.2026 10:05