Undergraduate Course: Islamic Movements in the 20th-21st Century (IMES10087)
Course Outline
| School | School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Although Islamic movements like the Muslim Brothers, the Talibans and al-Qaeda are sometimes derided as "medieval", 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. Background
a. Islamic movements as social movements
b. Pre-modern Islamic activism
3. Reforming society (1): education and proselytisation
4. Reforming society (2): charity and vigilantism
5. Seizing state power (1): the reformist approach
6. Seizing state power (2): revolution and violence
7. Defending Muslim territories (1): the Islamisation of national liberation struggles
8. Defending Muslim territories (2): al-Qaeda and global jihad
9. Fighting heretics and infidels: Sectarian and communal strife
10. Seizing state power (3): modern ¿Jihad states¿
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 courses in a suitable subject area at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Situate and explain the development of Islamic movements in their historical, political, and social contexts.
- Identify, analyse, and compare the aims, ideological underpinnings, modes of mobilisation, and behaviours of a variety of modern Islamic movements.
- Summarise and critically evaluate scholarly and other writings on modern Islamic movements, including their theoretical basis and sources.
- Apply the above for class activities and independent research related to the topics and themes of this course.
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Reading List
| Available through the course learn page. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Special Arrangements |
Before enrolling students on this course, you are asked to contact the IMES Secretary to ensure that a place is available (Tel: 504182, e-mail imes@ed.ac.uk). |
| Keywords | IMES IslamMov |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Elvire Corboz
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Monique Brough
Tel: (0131 6)50 3618
Email: |
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