MEAS8115 Islam in World Politics
| Offered By | Centre for Arab & Islamic Studies |
|---|---|
| Academic Career | Graduate Coursework |
| Course Subject | Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies |
| Offered in | First Semester, 2010 and First Semester, 2011 |
| Unit Value | 6 units |
| Course Description | This course covers the international politics of the Muslim world, with a special emphasis on the Middle East since 1945. Classical and modern Islamic thought on war and peace serves as the backdrop to a consideration of a number of themes. These include the compatibility of Islam and nationalism, the significance of Islamic transnationalism, the role of the pan-Islamic ideal, the impact of radical networks, and the effects of globalisation. Attempts are made to relate modern historical trends to larger concerns and theories of international relations. |
| Learning Outcomes |
In this course, students will develop or extend their knowledge and understanding of: 1. key issues concerning the development of Islamic thought on international relations; 2. the ways in which Muslims have interacted historically with non-Muslims, on the one hand, and other Muslims, on the other, to construct their position in the world; and 3. critical debates about, and schools of thought on, the meaning of key elements of world politics, such as nationalism, the transnational community of faith, and terrorist networks; and 4. the content and analytical frameworks of a select group of readings. |
| Indicative Assessment |
1 x 4,000 - 5,000 word esay = 50% 1 x in-class oral presentation = 10% 1 x 3 hr examination in exam period at end of semester = 40% With the agreement of the course convener, students may request a variation to the assessment procedure if they are studying from outside Canberra and/or they are in full-time employment and expect especially heavy work obligations during the semester or are likely to have to travel for an extended period for work. Such varied assessment must remain consistent with the College's Guidelines for Word Limits on Assessment (http://cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/rules-and-policies).
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| Workload |
One two hour seminar for 11 weeks. Regular attendance is compulsory. |
| Course Classification(s) | AdvancedAdvanced courses are designed for students having reached 'first degree' level of assumed knowledge, which provide a deep understanding of contemporary issues; or 'second degree' and higher levels of knowledge; or for transition to research training programs. |
| Areas of Interest | International Relations and Political Sciences |
| Preliminary Reading |
Fred Halliday, Islam and the Myth of Confrontation: Religion and Politics in the Middle East. London, I.B. Tauris, rev. edition, 2003. Amin Saikal, Islam and the West: Conflict or Cooperation. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003. Sources Students are strongly encouraged to keep up to date with relevant journals on the Middle East and Islamic affairs, including The Middle East Journal, the International Journal of Middle East Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Journal of Islamic Studies, Middle East Policy, ISIM Review, Arab Studies Quarterly, Middle East Report, and Journal of Palestine Studies. Useful news magazines/journals include The Middle East, The Economist and The New York Review of Books (available on-line to ANU students). |
| Academic Contact | Prof Jim Piscatori |
The information published on the Study at ANU 2010 website applies to the 2010 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2009 website.
