ISL487 Islam in Politics, Society and Media (8)

This subject introduces Islam and Muslims relationship with politics and society. As a world religion with over 1.8 billion followers, Islam plays an important role in the world as well as national and international politics. Consequently, Islam and Muslims are on the news on a daily basis. The subject critically examines the Islamic sources, historical precedence and the socio-political climate currently at force in the Muslim world. While interrogating how Islam has been politicised and how politics has been Islamicised across different parts of the world, this subject unpacks Islam and Muslim portrayal in the global media. By providing a range of case studies from different parts of the Muslim world and by analysing Muslim minorities in the West, this subject examines Muslims' view and practice and their engagement with secularism and liberal democracy. 

No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2022.

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to develop a grounded understanding of Islam's relationship with politics, secularism and liberal democracy from a theological, theoretical, historical and contemporary perspective;
  • be able to adapt and apply analytical tools to explain the emergence of contemporary Islamic movements and Islamic parties in relation to their socio-political circumstances;
  • be able to critically evaluate the international political tensions in relation to global socio-political conflicts and turmoils;
  • be able to critically compare and contrast the trajectory of democracy and secularism in the range of case studies covered from around the Muslim world;
  • be able to critically examine Muslims' engagement with politics and portrayal in media as minorities in multi-faith and multicultural societies; and
  • be able to perform independent research, organisation, written and oral communication skills through the presentation of substantial work.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • The role of religion and Islam in politics.
  • The governance ideals in Islam.
  • Caliphate: History of politics in the Muslim world.
  • Early Islamism and colonial impact on Muslim politics.
  • Theories on Islam, democracy, liberalism and multicultural politics.
  • Application of liberal democracy and secularism: Case studies Turkey and Pakistan.
  • Application of liberal democracy and secularism: Case studies Indonesia and Malaysia.
  • Islamism and Islamist political parties.
  • Islamism and social change in transnational Islamic movements.
  • Case studies of Islamic states: Iran, Saudi Arabia and Taliban Afghanistan.
  • Sunni-Shia Cold War in Middle Eastern politics.
  • Portrayal of Muslims in international and local media and Muslims' response.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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