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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures : Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

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

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Literatures, Languages and Cultures CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryAlthough 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. 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
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Identify, explain, and compare the aims, ideological underpinnings, modes of mobilisation, and behaviours of a variety of modern Islamic movements and in a variety of contexts.
  2. Critically evaluate scholarly and other writings on modern Islamic movements.
  3. Analyse primary sources (in English translation) produced by modern Islamic thinkers and movements, also by drawing on secondary literature.
  4. Analyse modern Islamic movements with the use of relevant theories, in particular the theories of social movements.
  5. Apply the above for independent research related to the topics and themes of this course.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Special Arrangements Jointly taught with undergraduate students (IMES10087).
KeywordsIM20C
Contacts
Course organiserDr Elvire Corboz
Tel:
Email: elvire.corboz@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Alisa Wilkinson
Tel: (0131 6)50 4465
Email: Alisa.Wilkinson@ed.ac.uk
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