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240555 SE MM3 The Transnational Gulf (2026S)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Participation at first session is obligatory!The lecturer can invite students to a grade-relevant discussion about partial achievements. Partial achievements that are obtained by fraud or plagiarized result in the non-evaluation of the course (entry 'X' in certificate). The plagiarism software 'Turnitin' will be used.
The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) for the attainment of partial achievements is only allowed if explicitly requested by the course instructor.
The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) for the attainment of partial achievements is only allowed if explicitly requested by the course instructor.
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 02.02.2026 17:00 to Mo 23.02.2026 23:59
- Deregistration possible until Th 18.06.2026 23:59
Details
max. 25 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
UPDATE 16.06.2026: Changed dates
- Tuesday 16.06. 15:00 - 18:15 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
- Thursday 18.06. 15:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
- Monday 22.06. 15:00 - 18:15 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
- Thursday 25.06. 15:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
This course examines the Arabian Peninsula, and especially the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) states, from a transnational perspective, challenging state- and oil- centric scholarship that tends to dominate study of the region. Focusing on historical and ethnographic accounts, we will explore the longstanding cosmopolitanism of the region, impacts of imperialism and racial capitalism, migration and labor regimes, social stratification, and the everyday lives of Gulf residents.
Assessment and permitted materials
Assessments: Students are required to write a 3-4 page reading response paper, due before each class.
Participation: Each student is also required to facilitate discussion one time during the course
Participation: Each student is also required to facilitate discussion one time during the course
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
The minimum requirement of the university is that all parts of the assessment are fulfilled i.e. all submissions are completed, course was attended regularly.
You can set a percentage for each submission you are asking for, usually attendance and participation has 10 to 20%.
Scale of marks such as this:
Grades:
• 91-100 points - 1 (excellent)
• 81-90 points - 2 (good)
• 71-80 points - 3 (satisfactory)
• 61-70 points - 4 (sufficient)
In order to complete the course, one needs to obtain at least 61 points.
Attendance and participation: 20%
Facilitation: 20%
Response papers (4 X 15% each) = 60%
Total: 100%
You can set a percentage for each submission you are asking for, usually attendance and participation has 10 to 20%.
Scale of marks such as this:
Grades:
• 91-100 points - 1 (excellent)
• 81-90 points - 2 (good)
• 71-80 points - 3 (satisfactory)
• 61-70 points - 4 (sufficient)
In order to complete the course, one needs to obtain at least 61 points.
Attendance and participation: 20%
Facilitation: 20%
Response papers (4 X 15% each) = 60%
Total: 100%
Examination topics
Reading list
Reading list/ Course ScheduleJune 16: 3 6:15 (back to back sessions with break)Pre-oil cosmopolitanism and an Indian Ocean approach to the GulfSession 1:
READ: Jadaliyya roundtable on "Theorizing the Arabian Peninsula" (Intro plus 7 short pieces linked under intro): https://www.jadaliyya.com/Details/28476READ: Kanna, Ahmed, Amelie Le Renard, and Neha Vora. Beyond Exception (Introduction)READ: Adam Hanieh, "Capital, Labor, and State: Rethinking the Political Economy of Oil in the Gulf"Session 2:
READ: Enseng Ho, The Graves of Tarim (preface and all of Part 1)
READ: Noora Jabir, "Unearthing Heritage: Skill and Expertise in the Making of the UAE’s Archaeological PastsREAD: Revati Tiwari: "Traders by the Creek": https://fiftytwo.in/story/traders-by-the-creek/June 18: 3 6:15 (back to back sessions with break)Oil, Labor, Migration, and the Modern kafala systemSession 1:
READ: Lisa Lowe, Intimacies of Four Continents (Chaps. 1 and 4)READ: Matthew Hopper, Slaves of One Master (Intro, Chap 4, and conclusion)READ: Louis Allday, "The British in the Gulf: An Overview": https://www.qdl.qa/en/british-gulf- overviewSession 2:READ: Omar Al-Shehabi, "Policing Labour in Empire: The Modern Origins of the Kafala Sponsorship System in the Gulf Arab States."
READ: Hessa AlNuami, "The Role of Colonial Knowledge in Building the Arab Gulf’s Migration Regime"
LISTEN: New books network podcast with Natasha Iskander: https://press.princeton.edu/ideas/ideas-podcast-does-skill-make-us-humanREAD: Samuli Schielke, Migrant DreamsJune 22: 3 6:15Citizenship, Diaspora, and BelongingSession 1:
READ: Natalie Koch, "Gulf Nationalism and the geopolitics of Constructing Falconry as a ‘Heritage Sport’
READ: Mira Al Hussein, "Reforms or deforms? The rise and decline of the rentier middle class in the United Arab Emirates."
READ: Mona Kareem, "Mapping Exile: A Writer’s Story of Growing Up Stateless in a Post-War Kuwait": https://lithub.com/mapping-exile-a-writers-story-of-growing-up-stateless-in-post-gulf-war-kuwait/
Session 2:READ: Neha Vora, Impossible Citizens (Introduction and Chapter 4)Farah Fawzi Ali: Filipino Enough Verfication BureauJune 24: 3 6:15New directions in Gulf studiesSession 1:
READ: Rana Al Mutawa, Everyday Life in the Spectacular City (Introduction, Chaps 1 and 2)
READ: Amelie Le Renard, Western privilege: Work, intimacy, and postcolonial hierarchies in Dubai (Chaps 2 and 4)
READ: Froilan Malit, Jr. "Defying the "Illiberal" Gig Economy: Coping Strategies of Freelance Domestic Workers in the United Arab Emirates."Session 2:READ: Sreya Mitra, "Beyond the Nation and Diaspora: Examining Bollywood’s Transnational Appeal in the UAEREAD: Jaana Serres, "Performing Nigeria in Dubai: A Worlding Project in the State’s Blind Spot"READ: Nora Derbal. Charity in Saudi Arabia: Civil Society Under Authoritarianism (Introduction and Chapter 5)
READ: Jadaliyya roundtable on "Theorizing the Arabian Peninsula" (Intro plus 7 short pieces linked under intro): https://www.jadaliyya.com/Details/28476READ: Kanna, Ahmed, Amelie Le Renard, and Neha Vora. Beyond Exception (Introduction)READ: Adam Hanieh, "Capital, Labor, and State: Rethinking the Political Economy of Oil in the Gulf"Session 2:
READ: Enseng Ho, The Graves of Tarim (preface and all of Part 1)
READ: Noora Jabir, "Unearthing Heritage: Skill and Expertise in the Making of the UAE’s Archaeological PastsREAD: Revati Tiwari: "Traders by the Creek": https://fiftytwo.in/story/traders-by-the-creek/June 18: 3 6:15 (back to back sessions with break)Oil, Labor, Migration, and the Modern kafala systemSession 1:
READ: Lisa Lowe, Intimacies of Four Continents (Chaps. 1 and 4)READ: Matthew Hopper, Slaves of One Master (Intro, Chap 4, and conclusion)READ: Louis Allday, "The British in the Gulf: An Overview": https://www.qdl.qa/en/british-gulf- overviewSession 2:READ: Omar Al-Shehabi, "Policing Labour in Empire: The Modern Origins of the Kafala Sponsorship System in the Gulf Arab States."
READ: Hessa AlNuami, "The Role of Colonial Knowledge in Building the Arab Gulf’s Migration Regime"
LISTEN: New books network podcast with Natasha Iskander: https://press.princeton.edu/ideas/ideas-podcast-does-skill-make-us-humanREAD: Samuli Schielke, Migrant DreamsJune 22: 3 6:15Citizenship, Diaspora, and BelongingSession 1:
READ: Natalie Koch, "Gulf Nationalism and the geopolitics of Constructing Falconry as a ‘Heritage Sport’
READ: Mira Al Hussein, "Reforms or deforms? The rise and decline of the rentier middle class in the United Arab Emirates."
READ: Mona Kareem, "Mapping Exile: A Writer’s Story of Growing Up Stateless in a Post-War Kuwait": https://lithub.com/mapping-exile-a-writers-story-of-growing-up-stateless-in-post-gulf-war-kuwait/
Session 2:READ: Neha Vora, Impossible Citizens (Introduction and Chapter 4)Farah Fawzi Ali: Filipino Enough Verfication BureauJune 24: 3 6:15New directions in Gulf studiesSession 1:
READ: Rana Al Mutawa, Everyday Life in the Spectacular City (Introduction, Chaps 1 and 2)
READ: Amelie Le Renard, Western privilege: Work, intimacy, and postcolonial hierarchies in Dubai (Chaps 2 and 4)
READ: Froilan Malit, Jr. "Defying the "Illiberal" Gig Economy: Coping Strategies of Freelance Domestic Workers in the United Arab Emirates."Session 2:READ: Sreya Mitra, "Beyond the Nation and Diaspora: Examining Bollywood’s Transnational Appeal in the UAEREAD: Jaana Serres, "Performing Nigeria in Dubai: A Worlding Project in the State’s Blind Spot"READ: Nora Derbal. Charity in Saudi Arabia: Civil Society Under Authoritarianism (Introduction and Chapter 5)
Association in the course directory
Last modified: Tu 16.06.2026 15:47