HSY2140

Faith and Power: Islam in History and Society ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Assoc.Prof. Ian Copland

Offered:
Not offered in 2005.

Synopsis: The overarching theme of this unit is this extraordinary story of Islam's worldwide expansion from the 7th Century~in particular, how it was facilitated by the establishment of Muslim states and empires. Connected themes are: the tussle within Islam between religious and political authority; the Sunni-Shi'a schism; the role of mysticism in Islamic thought; the treatment by Muslim states of non-Muslim populations; the reactions of Muslim rulers and thinkers to the rise of the West; Islam and nationalism; the theory of a 'clash of civilizations'

Objectives: Students successfully completing HSY2140: 1. Will have acquired a broad knowledge of the main landmarks and currents of Islamic history from the 7th to the 20th centuries; 2. Will be familiar with the main elements of Islamic belief and ritual; 3. Will be familiar with the major debates in the field of Islamic studies about the reasons for Islam's rise and decline from the 16th century in the face of a resurgent West, and for its 20th century renaissance, about the treatment of non-Muslims in Islamic states, and about the relationship between political and religious authority within the Islamic world; 4. Will have developed a capacity to work effectively with others and a capacity to express ideas verbally in group situations; 5. Will have developed considerable facility in bibliographic research, analysis, and written expression.

Assessment: Secondary source exercise (1000 words)20%; Essay (2050 words)40%; Examination (one hour)(1000 words)30%; Class Participation 10%

Contact Hours: One 90-minute lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week.

Prohibitions: HSY2500,HSY3500,HSY3140