Module Catalogue 2024/25

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 ActivitiesLecture231:0023:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching101:0010:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery31:003:00Essay help and exam revision sessions
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1641:00164:00N/A
Total200:00
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 Examination1201A75N/A
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M251500 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

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.