RELS 395 Revolutionary Shi'ism in Iran

Contemporary Islam. Students in this course will examine the writings of 20th-21st century Islamic political thinkers in the broader socio-historical context in which their work was and is produced. In successive years the course will focus on different regions or countries where these ideas are being articulated - for instance Egypt Iran Pakistan and India South East Asia or North Ameria. Beginning with a study of key concepts in Islamic theory and political philosophy students will then analyze the complex and specific relationship between political religious and economic ideas and forces informing the work of authors studied in the course. Special attention will be paid to the ways in which Western and modern ideas and practices and Western imperialism or colonialism are taken up in their work.