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Special Topics in Political Science (390-0-29)

Topic

Muslim Politics

Instructors

Zekeria Ahmed Salem Denna
620 Library Place, Room 204

Meeting Info

Scott Hall 319 ExperimentalLab: Mon 1:00PM - 3:50PM

Overview of class

The emergence of Muslim politics is arguably one of the defining transformations of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This course explores the diversity of the contemporary political experiences of Muslims in multiple and shifting contexts to address questions such as: what is the role of ideology and faith in Muslim politics? Where does political Islam come from? How does politics play out in the lives of Muslims? How diverse are contemporary political experiences of Muslims? How did immigration, globalization, Islamic revival and violent extremism and securitization policies reshape the political and religious landscape of Muslim-majority nations as well as in non-Muslim countries? What does the study of political Islam teach us about the relationship between religious and politics in the modern world?

The course is divided in three parts. In Part 1, we focus on the politics of Islamic revival through the trajectories of various Islamic political movements in the Middle East, Asia and Africa to understand the origins of the rise of political Islam and its national, regional and global impact. In Part 2, we turn to transnational Muslim networks and connections to explore the main issues around global political Islam in its various forms including violent Islamic extremism, Sufism, piety movements, economic networks. In Part 3, we examine the social, political and historical dynamics shaping the politics of Muslim minorities in Europe and the USA, including the war on terror, identity politics, racialization and islamophobia. We discuss also anti-Muslim violence and its origins.

Our cross-cutting themes include state in the Muslim world, party politics, secularism, democracy, social movements, political violence, the politics of religion, security policies, globalization, citizenship, social and economic development.

Our readings are drawn from political science, history, religious studies and anthropology.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will:


  • Acquire foundational knowledge about Islam and politics in the contemporary world.

  • Use the case of Muslim politics to build knowledge of the relationship between religion and politics.

  • Understand the nuances and complexities of various forms of Islamism over time and in different contexts.

  • Assess and critique the adequation between concepts of comparative politics and the political
  • experiences of Muslims in a globalized world.

  • Discuss and contrast countries both within the region and with countries and political developments elsewhere.

  • Create reports and write political briefs on Islam and politics within individual countries and regions as well as in comparative perspective.

  • Write on and explain Muslim politics through case studies and comparison.

Teaching Method

seminar ; occasional short lectures ; student led discussion

Evaluation Method

This is an undergraduate seminar. Participation is key. Weekly writing exercises and participation requirements. Systematic reading ion the material and discussion leadership required once in the term.
Weekly memos ; book review ; final open book paper. No in-class exams.

Class Materials (Required)

Peter Mandaville. 2020. Islam and Politics. London: Routledge. THIRD EDITION.
ISBN: 9781351044158