Admission requirements
“Introduction to the study of Islam”, or any other equivalent introductory level or knowledge about Islam (in agreement with the lecturer)
Description
The rise and fall of the Arab Spring, and the eruption of Islamic militancy in the Middle East raises many political and academic questions. Although these events seem revolutionary and new, this course will show that they are indebted to certain trends that have been going on for decades. Special reference will be given to Sunni and Shi’i Muslim thinkers within such trends as traditionalism, salafism, sufism, modernism, reformism and secularism. We will discuss issues of ‘Islamic’ militancy, economics, feminism, politics and law, and study the interaction between the social and political aspects of such religious ideas and institutions on the one hand, and the emergence and developments of the Islamist movements on the other. We will closely examine the interpretations given by modern Muslim thinkers regarding Islamic primary sources (the Qur’an, Sunna, Islamic law, etc.) as responses to contemporary religious, cultural, social and political changes and challenges of modernity.
Course objectives
Knowledge: The course offers students knowledge of a) the history of the most prominent and authoritative Muslim figures and movements and their idea developments in modern Islamic thinking, b) a typology of modern trends, and c) the main topics and concepts of Islamic thought.
Insight: students will gain insight in the diversity of thinkers and trends, and their views regarding the confrontation of Muslims with modernity on the basis of different subjects, such as reformation of Islam, the relationship with the West, the status of women in Islam, Islam and politics, etc.
Skills: upon the completion of the course students are expected to define and recognize the characteristics of such different typologies in Islam.
Timetable
Mode of instruction
- Lecture
Course Load
Lectures: 13 weeks = 26 hours.
Preparation lectures and exams (studying the compulsory literature) = 114 hours
Assessment method
The final mark is determined as follows:
first written exam (40%) and
final exam (60%).
The resit for the final exam is only available to students whose average mark of the written exam and final exam is insufficient (< 5,49). The resit will then make up 100% of the mark.
Reading list
A literature list will be made available on Blackboard.
Registration
uSis.
In addition to the registration in uSis, students are also expected to self-enroll in Blackboard a few weeks before the course starts.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.
Registration Contractonderwijs
Registration Contractonderwijs