MEAS8111 Islam, the West and International Terrorism
| Offered By | Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies |
|---|---|
| Academic Career | Graduate Coursework |
| Course Subject | Middle Eastern & Central Asian Studies |
| Offered in | First Semester, 2011 and First Semester, 2012 |
| Unit Value | 6 units |
| Course Description |
This course examines the changing relations between the ‘domain of Islam’ and ‘the West’, more specifically the United States, against the backdrop of the events of September 11, 2001, and its aftermath. It does so in both historical and contemporary terms. Its inquiry focuses more specifically on three main issues: the nature of Islam and its relations with the West in history, the rise of the United States to globalism since World War II and its role in the Muslim domain, and the problems with US and Muslim approaches in dealing with the phenomenon of international terrorism. |
| Learning Outcomes |
This course aims to achieve the following specific outcomes:- 1. Course participants will learn about the religion of Islam, the relations between the Muslim World and the West, as well as the rise of international terrorism against the backdrop of the fluctuating relations between Islam and the West in both historical and contemporary terms. 2. Students will develop an ability to analyse and judge for themselves whether there is a relationship between Islam and terrorism at the doctrinal level, and to what extent the whole phenomenon of terrorism is embedded in politics rather than religion 3. Students will gain knowledge about the key concepts which have often been used but frequently misunderstood; such as Islam, Islamic, Islamist, terrorism, and resistance. |
| Indicative Assessment |
One 4,000 word essay (60%) and a three-hour exam (40%) |
| Workload |
One two-hour seminar per week |
| 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 | Arab and Islamic Studies |
| Requisite Statement |
Admission to the Centre’s Graduate Diploma or Master program, or with the permission of the course convenor. |
| Prescribed Texts |
There are no prescribed texts for this course. A reading brick with selected required readings will be available for sale in the first weeks of the semester. |
| Preliminary Reading |
Gerges, F.A. The Far Enemy: Why Jihad Went Global, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005. Saikal, A. Islam and the West: Conflict or Coperation?, London, Palgrave MacMillan, 2003 Lewis, B. The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror, London: Weidenfeld & Nicholason, 2003 Chomsky, N. & Achcar, G. Perilous Power: The Middle East and US Foreign Policy, London: Hamish Hamilton, 2007.
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| Programs | Graduate Diploma in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Graduate Diploma in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Master of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, and Master of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies |
| Academic Contact | Professor Amin Saikal |
The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.
