This course will cover the major approaches and controversies in the study of modern Muslim societies and emphasise methods of analysis and critical thinking.  While dealing with broad themes such as colonialism, nationalism, social change and globalisation, the course will evaluate the social ad political significance of theological debates and normative change in Islam.  In the process a range of the major works on modern Islam, drawn principally from the social sciences and history but also including the literature on Orientalism and its critics, will be categorised and evaluated.

This course will introduce students to the major approaches and controversies in the study of modern Muslim societies and modern Islam.  These will be principally drawn from the social sciences, but will also cover historiography and Orientalism and its critics.

It will also acquaint students with major issues in the study of modern Islam, illustrating the advantages and disadvantages of particular analytical approaches.

In this course students will develop or extend their knowledge and understanding of:

1. key issues in contemporary Muslim societies and of the academic material on them;

2. the social and political significance of theological debates and normative change in Islam;

3. research methods, strategies, and ethics that are of relevance to the social scientific study of Muslim societies; and

4. the content and analytical frameworks of a select group of readings.

 1 x 4,000 - 5,000 word essay               50%

 1 in class presentation                         10%

 1 x 3 Hr end of semester exam            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).

Ernst, C.W.  Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World.  Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2004.  

Lewis, B.  Islam in History: Ideas, Peoples and Events in the Middle East, Chicago: Open Court, rev. edn., 1993.  

Lockman, Z.  Contending Visions of the Middle East: The History and Politics of Orientalism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004.