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HIST441 ISLAM IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Analyze the historical developments of Islam and its institutions in the 20th century, with a particular focus on political Islam and Islamic thought.

2.  Study the rise of politicized Islam and Islamic organizations, exploring their influence on the political landscape of the Middle East and other parts of the world.

3. Investigate the dynamics between radical Islamic movements and the state, focusing on the tensions and negotiations that shaped the politics of the 20th century.

4.  Examine the transformation of Islamic political thought, from the early Salafiyya movement to the late 20th century, and how it has influenced political ideologies and practices in the modern Islamic world.

5. Explore how Islam has interacted with modernity, colonialism, nationalism, and globalization, especially in relation to political movements and reform within the Muslim world.

6.  Analyze how Islamic political thought has influenced contemporary political conflicts in the Middle East, especially with regard to issues of governance, democracy, secularism, and the state.

7. Investigate the role of key Islamic movements and figures in the 20th century, and analyze how they have contributed to both political radicalization and reform efforts in Muslim-majority countries.

8. Introduce students to the main theoretical frameworks used in the study of political Islam, providing a critical understanding of how scholars interpret Islam’s political dimensions.

Course Content

The course analyzes historical developments in Islam, and its institutions in the twentieth century. The focus will be on the politicized form of Islam and Islamic organizations, the conflict and accommodation between radical Islam and the state, and the change in the Islamic political thought in the Middle East starting from the Salafiyya movement to the end of the twentieth century.

Course Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate Knowledge of 20th Century Islamic History: Exhibit a comprehensive understanding of the historical developments of Islam in the 20th century, particularly focusing on the evolution of political Islam and its institutions.

Analyze the Rise of Political Islam: Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze the rise and influence of politicized Islam and Islamic organizations in both the Middle East and broader Muslim world.

Evaluate Radical Islam-State Dynamics: Understand and evaluate the complex relationship between radical Islamic movements and the state, including the factors that contributed to conflict and efforts at accommodation.

Examine the Evolution of Islamic Political Thought: Trace the development of Islamic political thought from the Salafiyya movement to the late 20th century, and assess how these shifts impacted political ideologies and governance models in Muslim-majority countries.

Program Outcomes Matrix

0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution