INTL 399/405
Professor Anita Weiss
Summer 2008
Syllabus
Militant Islam I:
Foundations in Faith
June 21 (9-3:50) and Jun3 22 (9-11:50); Location: 166 Lawrence
This weekend seminar is designed to introduce participants to the historical and theological foundations of militant Islam. We will explore the various ways the concept of jihad – striving, struggle – has been understood in Muslim societies and learn about various foundational movements including the Wahhabi in Arabia, the Grand Sanusi and Mahdi in north Africa, the legacy of Shah Wali Allah and others in South Asia, and the origins of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
On Saturday, we begin with an overview of the Islamic religion, emphasizing those factors which create a sense of community and cohesiveness and the ideal role the state is to play in facilitating these processes. Following a break for lunch, we then turn to look at early movements of islah and tajdid, renewal and reform, as we probe how Muslims in the past had sought to reinvigorate both Islam and Muslim society. As part of this discussion, we look at how political changes within the Muslim world affected Muslim perceptions of external threats (e.g., changes in the Caliphates; the threat of the Crusades; the rise of empires in Iran and India; and the global role of the Ottoman Caliphate).
Before we break for the day on Saturday, students will opt to be responsible on Sunday for brief presentations to the class on people and groups mentioned in Chapter 4 of the Esposito book and in the Francis Robinson article (link below) These groups include: the Wah’habi movement, the Grand Sanusi in Libya, the Mahdi in Sudan, Shah Wali Allah in India, Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, Muhammad Abduh, Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Iqbal, Hasan al-Banna’s the Muslim Brotherhood, and Maulana Maududi’s Jama’at-i-Islami. Please be sure to read what Esposito writes about these distinct movements and supplement that with Internet-based research.
On Sunday, our discussion begins with an overview of Qur’anic verses which refer to jihad (links below) as well as a discussion of initiators of social change in the Muslim world through the early part of the 20th century. At this point, students will make their presentations on the various people and groups mentioned in Chapter 4 of the Esposito book, which we will discuss extensively.
Required text: John L. Esposito Islam: the Straight Path 5th edition, Oxford University Press, 2005
Other linked required readings:
Francis Robinson "Islamic Reform and Modernities in South Asia" Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 42, Special Double Issue 2-3 - Mar 2008, pp. 259-281