Postgraduate Course: Islamic Movements in the 20th Century (IMES11060)

Course Outline
School	School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures	College	College of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)	Availability	Not available to visiting students
SCQF Credits	20	ECTS Credits	10
Summary	Although Islamic movements like the Muslim Brothers, the Talibans and al-Qaeda are sometimes derided as żmedievalż, they are in reality an essentially modern phenomenon that has no precedent in Islamic history. The mobilisation of millions within permanent organisations aimed at defense of Islam is indeed the product of entirely new circumstances such as colonial occupation, mass literacy, urbanisation, and Western-dominated globalization. Another misconception about Islamic movements is that they are violent by nature, whereas in fact non-violent means of action have featured very prominently in their history. This course aims to convey a better understanding of modern Islamic movements by examining their origins, social base, modes of action, and ideology. The course is organised according to four categories of aims pursued by modern Islamic movements: promoting Islamic norms and values within society, taking over state power, expelling foreign occupiers, and countering rival religious communities within society (sectarianism).
Course description	1. Introduction 2. Doctrinal and historical background 3. The reform of society (1): proselytising and education 4. The reform of society (2): charity and vigilantism 5. Seizing state power (1): early reformist movements 6. Seizing state power (2): revolution and armed struggle 7. Seizing state power (3): later reformist experiences 8. The defence of Muslim territories (1): the Islamisation of national liberation struggles 9. The defence of Muslim territories (2): al-Qaeda and global jihad 10. Sectarian and communal strife

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites		Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations		Other requirements	None

Course Delivery Information

Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1)		Quota: 16
Course Start	Semester 1
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 176 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	Class presentation and participation (25%) 1,500 word minor assignment (25%) 2,500 word final assignment (50%)
Feedback	Not entered
No Exam Information

Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1)		Quota: None
Course Start	Semester 2
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 200 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 196 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 90 %, Practical Exam 10 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	Class presentation and participation (25%) 1,500 word minor assignment (25%) 2,500 word final assignment (50%)
Feedback	Not entered
No Exam Information

Learning Outcomes
Critical understanding of modern Islamic movements in a variety of contexts Ability to analyse the behaviour of modern Islamic movements through the theories of social movements Familiarity with explanations for the transformation of religious ideology in modern Muslim societies Ability to evaluate and critique scholarly and other writings on the above topics