Islamic Fundamentalism and the Modern World
Spring, 2007

RELS 4480/6480 CRN: 15909 /15910
Monday & Wednesday: 3:00-4:15 Sparks 326

Course Description

This course examines the ways in which Muslims have dealt with the historical changes brought about by European colonialism and the encounter with modernity. Two very different approaches will be examined, both very much modern. On the one hand, what is often called "Islamic fundamentalism" is one potential response to the modern world, both in its intellectual underpinnings and in its historical and political ramifications. On the other hand, what might be a called a "liberal" response which has called, in various forms, for engaging modernity and reinterpreting the Islamic tradition in a way that is consonant with modern liberal sensibilities. Throughout, the ways that Muslims have responded to modernity are considered in their historical and political contexts, to show that these are not isolated, arbitrary, disconnected or inexplicable developments. In addition to scholarly texts, two novels and several films will hopefully shed light on the contemporary situation.

• El Fadl, Khaled Abou. Speaking in God's Name: Islamic Law, Authority and Women. Oneworld Publications, 2001.
• Zaman, Muhammad Qasim. The ulama in contemporary Islam: custodians of change. Princeton: Princeton University Press, c2002.
• Ghali, Waguih, Beer in the Snooker Club Ivan R. Dee, 1989.
• Hamid, Mohsin. Moth Smoke. Picador USA, 2001
• Keddie, Nikki R. Modern Iran: roots and results of revolution; with a section by Yann Richard. Updated ed. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 2006.
• Online Reserves

Readings will be required as per the course schedule.

Students are expected to be in class regularly, and to participate in the regular discussions. You cannot get an "A" without regular attendance and participation in class discussions.

All students will be assigned a person, movement or group to present on to the class.

There will be short writing assignments due when we read the novels.
All students will write a final paper for this course, although the graduate students will be expected to do more in this respect. Papers will be on a topic to be agreed upon towards the second half of the course. Graduate students will meet with me regularly throughout the semester at agreed times, and will have some additional reading.

There will be a final exam.

Attending class is not mandatory, although handing in the written assignments and participating in class discussion is. You may not turn in your writeup without attending class, except in emergency situations. I will be noting attendance, and those who do not attend, and therefore cannot participate, will be graded accordingly. If you attend very regularly, but hardly participate, you can expect to get about 8 of 12 points. If you participate moderately, you will get 10 or so. Regular participation will get you full points, and this is what I expect everybody to strive for.

Tests and papers will take place according to the course schedule. In case of major medical or other emergency, for which there is documentation, please speak to me. Otherwise, there are no makeups, so please do not ask.

Please carefully look over the attached sheet on plagiarism and cheating. For your sake and mine, bear closely in mind that the following is plagiarism and will be treated as such by me, without exceptions: material taken without citation from the web; material taken from any book or other publication without citation; any ideas that I can trace to another source that you are not citing. These are all forms of cheating, and will subject you to serious consequences. I will, regardless of all other steps taken, report you to the administration so that the plagiarism charge will go permanently onto your record..

I realize that some students do not feel comfortable speaking in front of others. If at all possible, I want to encourage you to do so in any case. If you have a very hard time participating, an alternative assignment of two short writings (critical book reviews) is available.