ATS2907 - Modern Islam - 2019

The unit examines developments in Islamic thought in the last three centuries. In many cases, this era has seen the breakdown of the classical Islamic paradigms of governance, leadership, learning, and social order, and the consequent development of new Islamic or Islamist ideologies and movements. Examples will be considered from both Sunni and Shi'ite perspectives across diverse landscapes. The lives and works of significant figures in modern Islamic history will be studied in order to understand the diversity of the ways in which Islamic thought has responded to the colonial and post-colonial age. The course introduces the pre-colonial background of the Mughal, Ottoman, and Safavid Empires, before moving to the colonial encounters, state reforms and emerging ideologies in the nineteenth century. The course provides an up-to-date introduction to various Muslim movements in the colonial and post-colonial period. The course materials entail selections from important primary sources, as well as audio-visual materials.

Upon successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. identify and explain a range of Islamic responses to the breakdown of traditional structures following the collapse of the gunpowder empires, and of colonialism, in traditionally Muslim-majority regions of the world;
2. critically evaluate theories of post-colonial encounter in relation to Islamic thought and its responses to the changing world;
3. analyse the contribution of individual thinkers and leaders within the Islamic world nineteenth century onwards;
4. assess the impact of both western and non-western cultural practices on the articulation of Islam in a range of historical and contemporary contexts, as a response to colonialism and post-colonialism;
5. collaborate with others and express ideas verbally in group situations and in-class presentations.

Within semester assessment: 70% + Exam: 30%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Global asia

Religious studies

Islamic studies