Spring 2022  |  POL 3475 Section 001: Islamist Politics (65676)

Instructor(s)
Class Component:
Lecture
Credits:
3 Credits
Grading Basis:
Student Option
Instructor Consent:
No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:
In Person Term Based
Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
 
01/18/2022 - 05/02/2022
Tue, Thu 09:45AM - 11:00AM
UMTC, West Bank
Blegen Hall 120
Enrollment Status:
Open (29 of 55 seats filled)
Also Offered:
Course Catalog Description:
The relationship between Islam and politics-both in the Muslim world and in the West-is one of the most important political issues of our day. This class will address these issues by taking a historical and political look at the development of Islam (the religion) and Islamism (Islamic political movements) in many areas of the Muslim world. We will begin by discussing the Islamic faith and historical debates about its relationship to politics. Then we will turn to the twentieth century, and examine the rise of Islamist politics in the Middle East and North Africa (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Sudan) and south central Asia (e.g. Pakistan, Afghanistan). We will study the successes and failures of Islamist revolutions. Then we will focus on the evolution of the "Arab Spring" and its implications for both Islamism and democracy. In doing so, we will discuss debates about the compatibility of Islam and democracy, and examine attempts at democracy in the Muslim World (e.g. Tunisia). We will examine the revival of Islam and rise of post-Soviet Islamism in Eurasia (Central Asia, Russia, and the Caucasus) during the last two to three decades. We will examine the effects of state repression of Islam and religious freedom in those countries. We will also discuss varying ideas about jihad, and the rise of global jihadists and terrorist groups, such as Al Qaeda and ISIS. We will study the jihads waged by Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and ISIS, and the implications of militancy and terrorism for establishing stability and democracy in the Muslim world. We will read both Muslim and non-Muslim, American and non-American perspectives on these problems. Understanding these issues is critical to gaining perspective on the troubling state of today's complex global politics, and US foreign policy in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere.
Class Notes:
http://classinfo.umn.edu/?colli433+POL3475+Spring2022
Class Description:
Course Description: From the bloody battles of ISIS, to the Taliban in Afghanistan, to terrorism across the globe, "Islamist politics" has been at the center of political debates and US foreign policy. Particularly since 9/11, scholars and policymakers around the world have been debating the consequences of U.S. policy in the Middle East, the roots of rising Islamist movements in the 20th century, the causes of terrorism and suicide bombings, and the clash or compatibility of Islam and democracy. This class will address these issues by taking a historical and comparative political approach to the development of Islam (the religion) and Islamism (Islamic political movements) in many areas of the Muslim world. We will begin by discussing the early historical relationship between Islam and state. Then we will turn to the twentieth century, and examine the rise of Islamist politics in the Middle East and North Africa (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran) and central Asia (e.g. Pakistan, Afghanistan). We will study the successes and failures of Islamist revolutions. We will focus on the successful Islamist revolution in Iran, failed Islamist politics in Sudan. We will trace the causes of 9/11 and the subsequent US war in Afghanistan, and then the rise of ISIS in Iraq/Syria). We will study the Arab Spring and its implications for Islamic parties and democracy in that region, and the Syrian civil war. We will examine the rise of Islamist violence in Eurasia (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and the Caucasus). We will also discuss varying ideas about jihad, and the rise of global jihadists and terrorist groups, such as Al Qaeda and ISIS. We will study the implications of militancy and terrorism for establishing stability and democracy in the Muslim world. We will read both diverse Muslim and non-Muslim perspectives on these issues. Understanding these issues is critical to gaining perspective on today's complex global politics, and US foreign policy in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. This course aims at increasing our knowledge and understanding, tolerance, and wisdom in dealing with these critical issues.
Who Should Take This Class?:
The class is designed for students with an interest in policy-relevant political science-- US policy in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria!
Grading:
Grading will likely be based on class participation and several short papers. Final requirements will be printed on the syllabus in January.
Exam Format:
no exams; short papers will replace exams due to covid
Class Format:
lecture and discussion
Workload:
about 75 pages of reading per week
Textbooks:
https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/65676/1223
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
3 November 2020

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