BA Arabic and Italian / Course details

This course explores the ways in which the notion of ‘modernity’ has been constructed and debates in relation to what is perceived as ‘tradition’ in Islamic contexts. It begins by examining how new technologies, social structures, and educational systems introduced during the colonial period stimulated the imagination of intellectual elites who were searching for ways to be good and modern Muslims. Exploring case studies from the 19th century to the present day Middle East and Europe, the course discusses textual and discursive strategies of presenting ‘proper Islam’ in contradistinction to that what is labelled as ‘non-Islamic’. The course unit is flexible and multi-disciplinary, drawing upon social and political theory, intellectual and art history, colonial and post-colonial thought, anthropology, and religious studies. Assigned reading and discussions during the lectures and seminars are geared towards examining the place of (particularly Islamic) religious traditions in the modern world.

• To become familiar with the key issues that shape the debates on ‘tradition’ in modern Islam;
• To critically investigate a wide range of theoretical approaches discussing the formation of ‘tradition’ in relation to ‘modernity’

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Discuss the key issues that shape the debates about ‘tradition’ in modern Islam (19th-21st centuries);
• Critically investigate a wide range of theoretical approaches discussing the formation of ‘tradition’ in relation to ‘modernity’;
• Compare and contrast social and historical contexts in which the traditions of Islam have been problematised and debated since 19th century.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Understand and discuss theoretical issues related to tradition and modernity in Islam
• Compare and contrast social and historical contexts in which the traditions of Islam have been problematised and debated since 19th century.
   

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Develop analytical capacity to comprehend theoretical materials
• Improve the ability to examine primary and secondary sources.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Use library and online resources
• Present ideas in a clear and orderly manner
• Write a well-structured and argued essay 

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Critical and analytical thinking
• Presentation skills (oral and written)
• Time management and punctuality

• Masud, Muhammad Khalid, Armando Salvatore and Martin van Bruinessen (eds), Islam and Modernity: Key Issues and Debates, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2009.
• Gilsenan, Michael, Recognizing Islam: Religion and Society in the Modern Middle East, Revised Edition, London: IB Tauris, 2000.
• Voigt, Kari (ed.) et al., New Directions in Islamic Thought, London: IB Tauris, 2011
• Hourani, Albert, Arabic Thought in the Liberal Age, 1798-1939, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1967