Undergraduate Course: Jihad in Muslim Politics and Society (IMES10045)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Few Islamic concepts are as contentious and polarising as jihad. With the rise of political Islam and, most recently, the al-Qa?ida phenomenon, jihad has increasingly been seen to represent the violent, expansionist, face of Islam and express the enduring animosity of Islam and Muslims toward the ?West.? On the other hand, some insist that jihad represents a peaceful, spiritual, journey for Muslims and should not be equated with ?holy war.? This course does not seek to resolve such debates or provide definitive answers, but instead takes a critical look at the theory and practice of jihad, examining the doctrinal and historical sources for modern interpretations, as well as the interplay between jihad as a set of ideas and jihad as practice in a variety of historical and geographical contexts. It engages with primary sources and secondary literature written from a diverse range of disciplinary perspectives, including the history of ideas, political science, international relations, sociology and anthropology. The course will analyse the ideas of luminaries such as Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, Qutb, Mawdudi and Khomeini; assess their political significance via historical and contemporary case studies; and critique academic, policy and media discourses on jihad. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | A pass in Islamic History 1 and/or Modern Middle Eastern History 1 (preferred, but not essential. Students without background in these subjects should consult the course organiser). |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Central | Seminar | Seminar | 1-11 | | 12:10 - 13:50 | | | |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours:Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Jihad in Muslim Politics and Society | 3:00 | | |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
- Critical understanding of jihad as theory and practice in a variety of historical contexts.
- Familiarity with explanations for the emergence and characteristics of political Islam and the role of religious ideology and tradition in modern Middle Eastern politics.
- Ability to evaluate and critique scholarly and other writings on the above topics.
- Ability to place jihad and other ideological factors within social, political and historical contexts.
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Assessment Information
One 2,500-word essay (30%)
One 3-hour examination (70%)
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Thomas Pierret
Tel: (0131 6)50 4148
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Rhona Cullen
Tel: (0131 6)50 4182
Email: |
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