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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LLLC1394 Political Islam: Past and Present

10 creditsClass Size: 28

Module manager: Samar Al-Afandi
Email: s.al-afandi@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module aims to give an overview of the historical development of political Islam, particularly the branch known as Islamism, from the mid-19th century up to the modern day. The philosophies of the great pioneers of political Islam from Muhammad Abduh, Ali Abd al Raziq, Hassan Al-Banna, Said Nursi, to movements such as ISIS/IS will be critically assessed and examined in relation to their impact on the post-modern world. Key concepts and ideologies that feature within Islamist discourse that have invariably influenced generations will be discussed such as the "top down vs bottom up" debate and what role if any Shari'ah should play in the age of post-modernity.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to ...

Demonstrate an informed awareness of the key themes within political Islam
Evaluate the key actors and paradigms that are driving Islamism in the Arab and Muslim world
Identify key terms within the confines of Islamist discourse
Critically assess the validity and significance of the main schools of post-modern Islamism
Identify the key thinkers of political Islam who have shaped today’s debates in the Middle East

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students will:

Demonstrate an understanding of the history of the development of political Islam.
Develop an informed knowledge of the new trends (notably post-Islamism and ISIS) which have come to light since the early 2000’s.
Develop the ability to analyse Islamist movements and the decisions they make in the context of their theoretical foundations.

Skills outcomes
Write and present work following academic conventions
Develop effective reading, note taking and writing strategies
Develop comparative analysis skills
Think independently and critically
Derive conclusions from independent research
Develop time management skills


Syllabus

What is Islamism?
Genesis of Political Islam
The Disciples of Abduh
Said Nursi and Muhammad Iqbal
The Brotherhood - Al-Banna , Hudaybi and Qutb
Islamism in action: Iran and Turkey
The Rise of Radical Islamists
The Arab Spring - Movements in Egypt and Tunisia
Islamism Reconsidered -The Rise of Post-Islamism
The Rise of ISIS and the New Khilafah

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Seminar111.0011.00
Private study hours89.00
Total Contact hours11.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

Time for private study is expected to break down as follows:
3 hours preparation per seminar = 33 hours
Research, planning writing workbook = 16 hours
Research, planning and writing essay = 40 hours

Total 89

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The progression of student will be monitored via:
Regular class attendance, preparation for seminars discussions and assessed workbook.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2000 Words80.00
Written WorkShort answer workbook 1500 Words20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2016

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