SOCS 612
Islam and the West
Peter Gottschalk
| Our Goal | |
| We will delve into the rhetoric of difference regarding “Islam” and “the West” and the interests this has served. We will also investigate the cultural, religious, and political dimensions of interaction at specific historical moments. | |
| Pre-Class Assignment | |
| Please read at least the first three chapters of Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses. | |
| Course Schedule | |
| June 26 | Introduction to Islam and early Muslim history |
| June 27 |
Crusades & Reconquista and the Great Western Transmutation • Reader: Watts (“Reconquista and Crusade” & “Islam and European Self-Awareness”) |
| June 28 |
European imperial expansion: Knowing Egypt • Edward Said (chapter 1, “The Scope of Orientalism”) |
| June 29 |
European imperial rule: South Asia • Reader: Marshall Hodgson (“European World Hegemony” |
| July 3 |
Islam in America • Malcolm X (chapters 1, 10-13, 17) > First essay due |
| July 4 | No class |
| July 5 |
The Mujahidin & the Taliban • Ahmed Rashid (Introduction, chapters 1, 6, 10-13) |
| July 6 |
Post-colonial Egypt • Geneive Abdo (chapters 1-2, 4) |
| July 10 |
The Woman Question • Geneive Abdo (chapter 6) > Second essay due |
| July 11 |
al-Qaeda and America • Bruce Lincoln (pp. 1-76) |
| July 12 |
Muslims in England • Satanic Verses (chapters I-III, V-VII, IX) |
| July 13 |
Muslims in England (cont’d ) and Antagonism ad infinitim • Reader: from The Rusdhie File |
| July 17 | > Third essay due |
| Required Texts | |
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Geneive Abdo, No God But God All of these texts, except for the Reader, are also on Reserve in the library. |
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| Class Participation | |
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This constitutes the most important part of the class because of the opportunity it affords you to discuss the issues that are of concern to you and hear those of others. Class attendance is mandatory and students are expected to be punctual and participate in discussions. |
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| Papers | |
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The three paper assignments allow students the opportunity to fuse their class study with analysis of world events and communities while refining the ability to write succinctly. Answer the question with particular emphasis on analysis (not description) in a paper only four to five pages long. No quotes are allowed. Please write your name only on the back of the last page and do not bother with a cover page. |
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| Basis of Grade | |
| Of the 1000 points which compose a grade, participation constitutes 100 points and each paper 300 points. | |
| Accomodations | |
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Wesleyan University will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should provide documentation and schedule an appointment with the Office of the Dean of the College at least two weeks before services are needed. In each class where a student requests academic accommodations, the student must meet with the faculty member teaching the course at least one week prior to the requested accommodation. PLEASE! do not hesitate to discuss with me your needs for any accommodation. |
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| Honor System | |
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Students are expected to abide by the Honor System in regard to all work and participation in this class. For details, see www.wesleyan.edu/acaf/policy/sc_honor_system.htm. |
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