Listed in: Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought, as LJST-219 | Sexuality, Women's and Gender Studies, as SWAG-219
Sharif Youssef (Section 01)
(Offered as LJST 219 and SWAG 219.) Every day on the news the same drama of liberal and Islamic mutual incomprehension plays out. In flare-ups over cartoons and Mohammed, or the veil and citizenship, the same comments repeat themselves. This repetitiveness begs the question of what constitutes liberalism, and whether religious belief, specifically Islam (but also in sensational coverage of practices such as polygamy), might be anathema to liberalism. If the American Constitution cherishes religious expression, why do even mainstream, dominant religions in the U.S. claim that they are under fire? Why does Islam remain a problem for pluralism even in a political philosophy designed to govern a multicultural society? Can there be liberal forms of Islam? This course seeks first to explore issues related generally to understanding the relationship of religious belief and practice to the politics of a liberal state and second to apply these to understanding the place of Islam and Muslims in liberal states. We will also discuss the law of religious accommodation in Canada and the United States, the related problem of multiculturalism, religious formulations of these problems, including contemporary writing by Jewish and Christian theologians, and historical Muslim responses to the possibility of non-Islamic rule. In addition to examining some of the political thought of pre-modern Muslims, we will discuss Muslim responses to liberalism and modernization. Finally, we look at the practice of religious freedom as related by Muslims in liberal and Islamic societies.
Limited to 30 students. Spring semester. Visiting Professor Youssef.
If Overenrolled: priority given to LJST Majors
Cost: $7.75 ?
Section 01
M 08:30 AM - 09:50 AM FAYE 217
W 08:30 AM - 09:50 AM FAYE 217
This is preliminary information about books for this course. Please contact your instructor or the Academic Coordinator for the department, before attempting to purchase these books.
| ISBN | Title | Publisher | Author(s) | Comment | Book Store | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Islam 1840-1940 | Oxford University | Charles Kurzman | Amherst Books | TBD | ||
| Kafka's Curse | 1st Vintage | Achmat Dangor | Amherst Books | TBD |
These books are available locally at Amherst Books.