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Islam and Politics (ISLM90008)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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July
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What sort of a phenomenon is political Islam, or Islamism?  How is it manifest and what political or intellectual forces have contributed to its growth? This subject places political Islam within the context of an increasingly globalised world, and considers the role of Islamism within Muslim-majority societies and in Muslim communities living in Western countries. 

Political Islam is seen by some as a backlash against the economic, political and cultural dominance of the West, and as a response to Western conceptions of modernity. This unit surveys a number of key organisations and states in the Middle East, drawing on case studies to explore fundamental questions such as the relationship between Islam and concepts such as democracy and nationalism. It will explore both electoral Islamism and Islamic fundamentalism, and will provide students with a detailed framework for understanding the role of Islamism in the contemporary Islamic world.

Intended learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this subject should:



  • have gained a critical understanding of Islamic radicalism, in its different manifestations globally, and the political and conceptual forces that extend or hamper its scope;
  • be able to place political Islam within the context of a shrinking world and offer students a nuanced appreciation of relations between the West and the Muslim world;
  • have a deeper understanding of the basic ideological tenets and historical roots of Islamic radicalism and the global context within which it has emerged;
  • have an appreciation of the diversity within Islam in relation to the above; and
  • have a deeper appreciation and improved ability to analyse the literature on Islam and politics.

Generic skills

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

  • have a deeper understanding of the basic ideological tenets and historical roots of Islamic radicalism and the global context within which it has emerged;
  • have an appreciation of the diversity within Islam in relation to the above;
  • have a deeper appreciation and improved ability to analyse the literature on Islam and politics –.. with reference to ‘..clash of civilisations’;
  • have improved oral skills by participating in seminars; and
  • have improved writing skills by producing a well-researched paper.

Last updated: 3 November 2022