RELS 296 Contemporary Islam in the Modern Middle East

Students in this course will examine the writings of 20th­21st century Islamic political thinkers in the broader socio­historical context in which their work was and is produced.  The course will focus on different regions or countries where these ideas are being articulated -- for instance, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, and India, or South East Asia.  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 that inform the work of the authors we study.  Special attention will be paid to the ways in which Western and modern ideas and practices, as well as Western imperialism or colonialism, are taken up in these thinkers.