POL2112 : History of Islamic and Arab Political Thought (Inactive)
POL2112 : History of Islamic and Arab Political Thought (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr James Babb
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
Islamic and Arabic political thought has gained increasing attention in recent years but it remains widely misunderstood and misused in political debates. This module provides essential historical background but does not neglect the contemporary significance of debates over the nature of Islamic and Arabic political thought, including a more global focus than is normally found in courses on the subject. Students will finish the module with greater confidence in their knowledge of a difficult subject and a humble awareness of the limitations of their understanding.
Outline Of Syllabus
Part I. Traditional Thought
1. Introduction
2. Life of Mohammed in Context
3. The Early Caliphate
4. The Quran, Hadith, Shari’a and Fiqh
5. Revealed Religion and Philosophy (Falasfa)
6. Early Islamic Political Philosophy
7. Conservative Consolidation
8. Later Medieval Islamic Political Thought
9. The Rise and Fall of Islamic States
10. Tolerance and Intolerance in 18th Century Islam
Part II. Modern Thought
11. Early Attempts at Reform
12. Islam and Imperialism
13. Liberalism and Secularism
14. Pan-Arabism
15. Early Political Islam
16. Shi’a Radicalism and Theocracy
17. The Rise of Sunni Radicalism and ‘Jihadism’
18. Extreme Islamist Thinkers and Movements
19. Islam and Democracy
20. Islamic Feminism
21. Islam in Western Political Thought
22. Muslim Minorities in the West and Beyond
23. Examination revision session
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will understand the basic concepts of Islamic and Arabic political thought. They will also acquire an understanding of how debates over these ideas have been transformed according to political circumstances. Students will be better able to understand the subtleties and complexities of judging Islamic and Arabic political thought in the contemporary context.
Intended Skill Outcomes
This module provides an opportunity to enhance your writing skills, oral presentation and problem solving skills. Interpersonal communication skills can be gained through interaction during seminars provided. There will also be an opportunity to utilize planning and organization skills in seminar preparation, essay writing and examination preparation. The ability to adapt to new concepts and civilizations will also foster social, cultural and global awareness.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 23 | 1:00 | 23:00 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Essay help and exam revision sessions |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 164 | 1:00 | 164:00 | N/A |
Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
There is much new and challenging information in the module so traditional lectures and seminars are the best way to convey the information to students. The lectures introduce the material, the students engage in independent reading to try to understanding it and then this understanding is tested and solidified in the seminar activities and discussion.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 75 | N/A |
Other Assessment
Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay | 1 | M | 25 | 1500 words |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The essay focuses on the early thinkers and concepts needed to understand the basic debates in Islamic thought. It will provide students will feedback on the level of understanding obtained so far and serve as invaluable preparation for the examination. The examination focuses on modern developments in Islamic and Arabic thought though still relies on students to understand the relevance and impact of earlier thinkers. Both the essay and examination focus on short passages of texts (gobbets) on which students must explain the meaning of the text, the basis on which it was written and its subsequent influence in Islamic political thought.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- POL2112's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- POL2112's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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