110-091 Islam and Political Activism: The Twentieth-Century Experience

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Subject Description

This course will look into the theological origins of Islamic political activism in the Qur'an and the Sunnah, by studying the various relevant texts. It will trace the historical antecedents of contemporary Islamic political activism, through a millennium and a half of the historical progress of Islam as a major political force in World history. The course will in particular explore the psychological and socio-political reasons behind its rise in the twentieth century. Theoretical analyses of the political psychology and socio-political class-structure behind the rise of Islamic political activism in the modern times, will be resorted to, for this purpose. Having thus studied the backgrounds of Islamic political activism, the course will proceed to study in greater detail the various major Islamic political-activist movements in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and North Africa. It will also explore the implications of Islamic political activism for local and global peace and stability.

Assessment

Written work totalling 4000 words.

Prescribed Texts

Materials supplied by the Institute.