University of Kurdistan – Hewler

School of Social Sciences

MODULE DESCRIPTOR PIR114

Course Title: Kurdish Studies

Semester/ Year: Fall/ 2022
Course Code: PIR114
Course Pre-requisites: N/A
Course Co-requisites: N/A
Credit hours: 3
Instructor: Dr. Bayar Mustafa
A. Professor
E-mail: bayar.mustafa@ukh.edu.krd
Office Location: Classrooms Area
Class Location: Room
Office Hour:
Class Time:

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course aims to make an introduction to Kurdish Studies for the Students. In the
last decades, Kurdish Studies have been important as a field of study and research. All
aspects of the Kurdish issues such as political, cultural, and historical have emerged
as the subject of remarkable scholarly interest. This course will mainly consist of two
parts, and each will be four weeks. In the first part, students will have some basic bits
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of knowledge about Kurdish and Kurdistan in terms of geography, borders, history,
society, culture, arts, and the economy. In the second part, which will start at the end
of the fourth week, students will study the Kurdish language and literature; in addition
to this, they will also study the emergence of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)
in 1992, and Kurdish after the Arab Spring and the war against ISIS. At the end of the
course, students will have a broad knowledge of Kurdish society and Kurdistan
through an academic perspective framework. They will be able to analyze, and make
a comparison different periods and different communities, Within Kurdistan and
Kurdish

students will learn many facts, but also the critical thinking skills necessary to analyze
historical evidence related to the Kurdish community. 14 themes will be used as a
frame of reference in the chronological study of our course of Kurdish Studies.

Attending class for this course is essential. Lectures, discussions, films, and other
activities will help you to place the readings into context by providing geographical,
historical and cultural etc. background and relevant examples. These activities will
play an instrumental part in helping students to further understand the course material

2. COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is intended to sharpen student skills in the following areas:

Students are expected to:

o Deal with the subject in an academic framework in an objective way.

o Write academic essays on Kurdish society and Kurdistan.

o Be able to evaluate, critically analyze, and summarize books/chapters of books

and articles.

o Search literature on Kurdish studies (i.e. the articles and books on Kurds)

o Work in team and obtain teamwork skills

For the final exam, you will be expected to articulate and defend a final exam prompt
based on the course content in writing. Your ability to convey and organize your
thoughts, argument, and analysis will be closely assessed in this class.

The ultimate goals of this course are

• Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking in Understanding the Kurdish
society.

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• Recognizing All the features/characteristics of Kurdish community.

• Understanding sociopolitical and economic conditions of Kurds in different

periods throughout their history and geography.

• Global consciousness, social responsibility, and ethical awareness

• Learning about Kurdish people’s neighbors and their relations with

neighboring nations and ethnic groups.

• Account for the political and social situation in the Greater Kurdistan in the
last decades.

3. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• identify and describe the context and significance of major Kurdish figures,
ideas, and events.

• construct an essay on Kurdish community based on primary source

documents.

• compare other time periods and cultures with little or no ethnocentrism or

modern bias.

• Evaluate and summarize books /chapters in books, and articles which are
related to Kurdistan and ME history.

• Work in team and obtain teamwork skills.

• Identify and locate all geographical regions and historical events on a greater
Kurdistan’s map.

4.SEMESTER OUTLINE (This schedule is subject to change without

notice) A Reading Quiz Will Occur Every Week a Reading is Due in
the Class

o Week 1

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Introduction to the Course and survey of some primary resources
on Kurds

o Week 2
Kurdistan the land and the people: geography, borders, and
demography. Chapter 1 in the textbook, pp. 1-13

o Week 3
History: Ancient history of Kurdistan and the creation of
Kurdish National Identity. Chapter 3 in the textbook, pp. 23-
41

o Week 4
Kurdistan in Medieval ages and Islamic period. Chapter 3
in the textbook, pp. 41-49

o Week 5
Kurdistan and the Appearance of the Ottomans and
Safavids: from 16th century- 20th century. Chapter 3 in the
textbook, pp. 49- 59. (this week for the ELD students TBD by
Dr. Zana)

o Week 6
Kurds and the emergence of the states in the Middle East:
Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. Chapter 3 in the , pp. 59-67. (this
week for the ELD students TBD by Dr. Zana)

o Week 7
Midterm Exam

o Week 8
Kurdish society: identity and national character. Chapter 7
in the textbook, pp. 183-191.

o Week 9
Status of Women and Family life. Chapter 7 in the textbook, pp.
193-197.

o Week 10
Economy: natural resources and agriculture in Kurdistan.
Chapter 9 in the textbook, pp. 221-236.

o Week 11

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K Culture & Arts: popular culture, folklore and music.
Chapter 10 in the textbook, pp. 237-265.

o Week 12
Kurdish Literature & Language. Chapter 6 in the textbook, pp.
167-182.

o Week 13
The awake of Kurds: and the emergence of KRG in the Middle
East.

o Week 14
The Academic field trip

o Week 15
Final Exam

5. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Mehrdad Izady, the Kurds: A Concise History and Fact Book, 1992, Taylor & Francis
Group Publishing Co Inc.

6. METHODS OF TEACHING
The THREE hours of the week/section have been divided into sessions, as follow:

o A: Lecture (first 1.5 hour of the week)

o Students are required to read the allocated chapter of the textbook prior to the
session and participate in class discussions. Every two students should expect
quizzes taken about the subject of that lecture

o B: Seminar and other activities (1.5-hour session)

o Students will allocate themselves in to groups of 2-3 people. Each group will
either be given chapters/books or articles to prepare a summary or a topic to
write an essay on. In both cases, the group should present their work in class.

7.COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to be prepared prior to each lecture. They are required to
read the assigned textbook chapter, the assigned lecture notes, and seek to read

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additional suggested resources, the readings for each week are provided in the
schedule of the course syllabus. Students are expected to participate actively in
discussions during the lecture. They will have a quiz every two to three weeks; the
quiz will be based on the subject of that same lecture, therefore it is necessary they
attend their lectures, take notes and listen attentively. Students will be assigned into
groups of four (or more); these groups will be advised on their subject preparedness
and the presentation. On the other hand the attendees should also read about their
colleagues’ presentation-subject beforehand to be able to actively discuss and argue,
the presentations will be given a feedback by the students and from the instructor.
Students will be engaged in at least one trip during their course year to a place related
to our course.

*In the event of an absence, students are responsible for contacting the instructor (me)
to arrange for an alternative date for due assignments; I will not contact you to make
up any course assignments.

8. ASSESSMENT METHODS
Attendance in the Students are required to participate actively in class
classroom and discussions, to exhibit that they have read the related class
participation in QA 20% material for the week as well as the recommended resources.
discussion during the
lecture session
Students will be tested on the given material in the weeks prior
Quizzes & midterm 20% to the exam. This semester exam questions will include; short
answer, identification, illustrative, and essay questions.
After group presentations we will move on to individual
Seminar & activities 20%
activities in which students will be evaluated accordingly.
The Complete Course Material, exam questions; essay, book
Final Exam 40%
summery, evaluations, causative, etc.
*Grade Deductions
A half grade deduction (5 points) will result for each class day a quiz, exam, or paper
is late.

9. GRADING
Grade Percentage Grade Points Meaning of Grade

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10. INCOMPLETES
Incompletes might be granted only under certain circumstances where a student
experiences a major unanticipated event disruptive to his/her continuing in this course
after having satisfactorily completed the course to that point. A student requesting an
incomplete must present a written explanation detailing the circumstances that
necessitate the request as well as an explanation as to how he/she will eventually
complete the course requirements. Incomplete grades are not given to students as a
way to avoid receiving a failing grade.

11. ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION

Attendance and participation are essential to understanding the material in this course.
While the former will not be figured into your final grade, it will be taken and noted
during each class period and used to determine “borderline” grades; students
receiving an 89.50, 79.50, etc. and above will receive a grade bump if they have
regularly attended class. Students are allotted two (2) unexcused absences; three (3) or
more unexcused absences will noticeably erode one’s attendance/participation grade.
Those experiencing a prolonged illness or family emergency, for example, may be
exempt from this policy but must provide documentation and consult the instructor
immediately.

The participation grade will be assessed primarily on raising questions and

contributing to the class discussion on relevant material. Here is how it works: Each
student coming to class starts out the period with 75 points (out of a 100-point scale).
If you verbally participate in the class discussion (raising relevant questions, making a
comment that furthers discussion, etc.) one (1) time, you receive 25 points. Twenty-
five (25) points are deducted from your class participation score for actions listed
under “Attendance and Classroom Conduct” (located below). Please review these
actions at your convenience. Bring your books and note book to class every week!

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ATTENDANCE & CLASSROOM CONDUCT
Students are expected to arrive in class on time. Late arrivals and any
participation in the below activities will be docked participation and
attendance points.

DURING CLASS, PLEASE DO NOT:

1. Talk during lecture, movies or when someone else is asking/answering a question.

2. Use your cell phone (including text messaging), pda, and laptop (unless taking
notes).

3. Read the newspaper or other literature during lecture, films or discussion.

4. Use earbuds, headphones, etc.

5. Leave before the end of the period. (If you need to leave before the end of the
class period, please see me before the start of class to let me know).

12. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Integrity is considered as one of the AUDK core values. AUUD is committed to
insure an honest academic environment and fair resolution of alleged violations of
academic integrity.

13. ACADEMIC OFFENSES

Actions that violate the academic integrity may include the followings:
· Unauthorized collaboration
· Plagiarism
· Multiple submissions
· Cheating on examinations
· Fabricating information
· Helping another person cheat
· Unauthorized advance access to examinations
· Altering and/or destroying the work of others
· Fraudulently altering academic records

14. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Academic offenses subject the student to disciplinary actions including the following:

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· Receiving a failing grade on assignment, examination or course.
· Receiving a notation of a violation of academic integrity on the transcript.
· Suspension from the University.
· Serious violations discovered after a student graduates may lead to revocation
of a degree.

Dr. Bayar Mustafa

Assistant professor, Dean of Research & External Engagement.
Fellow at the institute of the Study of Human rights, Columbia university, NYC.
Areas of Expertise: Middle East, Turkey, Kurdistan, Modern History and IR.