Undergraduate Course: Jihad by the tongue, Jihad by the sword: Modern Islamic movements (IMES10083)
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 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies |
Other subject area | Politics |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | 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 (¿Jihad by the tongue¿, as opposed to ¿Jihad by the sword¿) 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 (sectarianism). |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | No |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
- Critical understanding of modern Islamic movements in a variety of contexts
- Ability to analyse the behaviour of modern Islamic movements by using 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
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Assessment Information
One 2,500-word essay (30%)
One 3-hour examination (60%)
Class presentation and participation (10%) |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
This course is a revised version of ¿Jihad in Muslim Politics and Society¿. Instead of studying the theories and practices of jihad throughout history, the course will now focus exclusively on modern Islamic movements. The previous version was somewhat inconsistent, as it involved too many different disciplinary approaches (Islamic studies, history, sociology and politics). Moreover, the chronological structure of the course was conveying a problematic sense of continuity between radically different historical contexts. |
| Syllabus |
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 defense of Muslim territories (1): the Islamisation of national liberation struggles
9. The defense of Muslim territories (2): al-Qaeda and global jihad
10. Sectarian and communal strife
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| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Islam Islamism social movements politics |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Thomas Pierret
Tel: (0131 6)50 4148
Email: Thomas.Pierret@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Paulo Nunes De Moura
Tel: (0131 6)50 3580
Email: paulo.nunesdemoura@ed.ac.uk |
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