Master
2019/2020
Islam and Politics
Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Type:
Elective course (Socioeconomic and Political Development of Modern Asia)
Area of studies:
Asian and African Studies
Delivered by:
School of Asian Studies
When:
2 year, 1 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Instructors:
Irina A. Tsaregorodtseva
Master’s programme:
Socioeconomic and Political Development of Modern Asia
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
42
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course will introduce students to politics and polities of Muslim majority countries and its neighbors with a particular focus on the Middle East. With the introduction of tailored analytical tools and techniques students will be better equipped to understand the intrinsic Islamic factor shaping Middle Eastern politics. The course will be structured topically. The first introductory part focuses on the main features of the discussion on the political nature of Islam. The second part briefly deals with the political role of Islam in 7-20 centuries. The third part considers the interplay between Islam and politics in contemporary societies. The forth part focuses on transnational Islamic political organizations and societies. The course will be delivered as lectures and seminars. Through classes students will familiarize themselves with the role of Islam in contemporary Muslim societies, as well as with the issue of compatibility of Islam and democracy, Islam and liberal thought etc.
Learning Objectives
- The main goal of the course is to equip students with the knowledge of main approaches to the Islamic factor in contemporary politics based on the most demonstrative cases.
- Encourage a critical understanding of the diversity of approaches to the study of Islamic politics’ and political Islam
- Enable students to engage with the wider debates in the field of Political and Islamic studies.
- Develop an understanding of interaction between sources and historical interpretation.
- Enhance students’ ability to analyze and explain how Islamic institutions affect politics in various states and regions.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- To familiarize students with the main definitions of Islam and main approaches of studying Islam within Islamic and Social studies.
- To familiarize students with some political meanings of the Quranic text
- To familiarize students with the main concepts which dominate contemporary studies of Political Islam
Course Contents
- Presentation of the CourseWhat Islam is? Definitions of Islam. Various approaches to study Islam. Does Islam matter in terms of politics? The concept of din wa-dawla and its ramifications in internal discussions in Islam and in Western/Russian academia. Presentation of the syllabus.
- Discussion “Political Interpretation of the Quran”Obligatory: Knysh A. Islam in Historical Perspective. 2011. Pp. 70-85 (pay special attention to the questions on p. 85). Recommended: The Quran (any translation, by G. Sale, for example), Sura 2 “Baqara (Cow)”. Try to highlight some fragments which may refer to political rulings. Optional: Rahman F. Some Recent Books on the Qur’an by Western Authors (pdf, 24 pp.).
- Under-Estimation of the Role of Islam in Politics: The Case of Islamic Revolution in Iran
- Is Islam Compatible with Democracy? Team Work and DebatesBreak into groups (5-6 students in each). Find out in literature the main arguments to reinforce your position. Choose among the participants of your group one speaker to present the arguments (5 minutes maximum). When all presentations are done, the platform is open for answers and general discussion. Group #1: WESTERN ACADEMICS AND INTELLECTUALS – Islam is incompatible with democracy (refer to Ernst Gellner, Bernard Lewis and others). Group #2: WESTERN ACADEMICS – Islam is compatible with democracy (refer to John Voll and others). Group #3: MUSLIM INTELLECTUALS AND CLERICS - Islam is incompatible with democracy (refer to Abu al-Ala al-Mawdudi, Muammar al-Qaddafi and others). Group #4: MUSLIM INTELLECTUALS AND CLERICS - Islam is compatible with democracy (refer to Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Imam Khomeini, Muhammad Khatami and others). Group #5: MUSLIM COMMONERS (inquire your Muslim acquaintances on what do they think about compatibility of Islam and democratic principles conceptualize their arguments in 2-4 theses). Group #6: NON-MUSLIM COMMONERS (inquire your non-Muslim acquaintances on what do they think about compatibility of Islam and democratic principles conceptualize their arguments in 2-4 theses).
- Discussion “Is Islamic Republic of Iran a Democracy?”Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran: highlight the main democratic principles reflected in the text. Compare the results of your survey with the reading task: Momayesi N. Iran’s Struggle for Democracy // International Journal on World Peace. Vol. 17, No. 4 (December 2000). Pp. 41-70 and/or Banuazizi A. Islamic State and Civil Society in Iran (pdf). 2001.
- Islam and Secularism: A Battle or a Synthesis?Obligatory: Topal S. Everybody Wants Secularism – But Which One? Contesting Definitions of Secularism in Contemporary Turkey // International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society. Vol. 25, No. 1/3 (September 2012). Pp. 1-14. Optional: VIDC: Beyond Secularism & Islamism (2/2): Panel with Wael Hallaq and Islah Jad (from 00:32:15 to 1:17:55 approximately).
- Political Islam / Islamism and Islamic Politics / Muslim Politics – What is the Difference?Approaches to define ‘Political Islam’. History of the term. Islamism and its definitions. Radical and moderate Islam. Wahhabism and Salafism. Muslim politics (Eickelman and Piscatori; Hefner etc.). Islamic politics. Islam in Global Politics (Tibi).
- Islamic [Non-Western] Political Movements and Parties
- Arab Civil Society
Assessment Elements
- PresentationsPresenters are not to exceed 10 minutes allocated for your speech. They are to focus on the key theses and not to go into the details. Pictures and photos are welcome. It is highly recommended not to read from papers and to make eye contact with the audience.
- Participation in discussions
- Class activity
- Exam
