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2007/08 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

THEO3290 Modern Islamic Thought

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Elizabeth Sirriyeh
Email: E.M.Sirriyeh@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2007/08

Pre-requisite qualifications

Level 2 of BA degree or equivalent

Module replaces

THEO 2215 Islam in the Modern World

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

What do Muslims think about jihad and martyrdom operations? How have ideas changed since the period of the Crusades? What are Muslim religious jurists' views on abortion, surrogate motherhood and cloning? If such issues matter to you, you may be interested in this module on Modern Islamic Thought. The module covers a variety of approaches by Muslim thinkers from the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, as well as those living in the West, to questions of current concern. You will study the continuity of the Islamic tradition since the late 19th century as well as the ways in which it has been impacted by Western modernity. You will explore primary texts, including those of religious lawyers, academics, politicians and activists, e.g. Ayatollah Mohammad Khatami, former President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the relationship with the West; Osama Bin Laden on jihad against the US; and Amina Wadud, specialist in Qur'anic Studies and professor at Virginia Commonwealth University on Muslim women's rights.This module is taught with lectures and workshops throughout Semester 1. It is suitable for those who have some background on Islam, usually gained from a previous module with Islamic content at Level 1 or 2. It is also suitable for Level 3 students who are prepared to undertake preliminary reading on Islam before starting the module.

Objectives

To develop students' understanding of a variety of approaches and orientations in Islamic thought worldwide from the late 19th century to the present.
To undertake a thematic study in order to analyse some of the major issues in modern Islamic thought.
To explore systematically interaction between modern Islamic and Western thought.
To establish a basis from which students might proceed to further study of Islamic topics at Level 3 and MA level.

Learning outcomes
Listening; note-taking; critical reading and interpretation of primary and secondary texts; producing written assignments to deadlines; presentation of oral arguments; collaborative work in small groups; use of library and internet resources; writing under time-limited conditions.

Syllabus

This module investigates developments in Islamic thought from the late 19th century to the present in the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and the West. There is an introduction to some of the main trends in Islamic thought from the 19th to mid-20th centuries and consideration of the effects of Western modernity on Muslim thinkers in this period, their reactions to the impact of European colonialism and efforts at rethinking to deal with new situations facing Muslim communities. Most of the module is then concerned with making a thematic study of some major topics of concern to Muslim thinkers from the 1960s to early 21st century, including, for example, the place of Islam in contemporary politics, the relationship with memebers of other religions (particularly Jews and Christians) and with the West, contemporary jihad, issues of gender and human rights.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

178 hours - Preparation for lectures and workshops, production of written assignments, revision for examination

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance, feedback in lectures, workshop performance, email correspondence, optional tutorials, assessment with written feedback

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,200-1,500 words	25.00
Written Work	Textual commmentary 800-1,000 words	15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

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: 12/03/2008

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