UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS Department of Political Science Islamic politics Political Science 407O Spring, 2010 Professor MehranTamadonfar TR: 10-11:15 a.m. Office: WRI 212 WRI C 237 Office Hours: TR: 7- 7:45 a.m. & 11:45 a.m.-12:30p.m.& by appointment Office Phone: 895-3318 E-mail address: [email protected] PURPOSE AND SCOPE: This area study course in Comparative Politics is designed to: • Survey the classical and contemporary Islamic political thought. • Assess the impact of Islam as a political force on the contemporary social, economic, and political institutions and practices in Muslim societies. • Analyze the role of Islam in the contemporary global politics In this course, Islam is treated as a comprehensive and integrated cultural component in Muslim societies and as an ideological force that governs all facets of Muslims’ lives. While this course does not focus on the theological dimensions of Islam, it is imperative to examine the main theological underpinnings of Islamic politics, laws, and economics. REQUIRED TEXTS: • Alam, M. Shahid, Challenging the New Orientalism; Dissenting Essays on the “War Against Islam,” Islamic Publications International; 2006. • Abbas, Hassan, Pakistan’s Drift into Extremism: Allah, The Army & America’s War on Terror, Sharpe, M.E., Inc., 2004. • Enayat, Hamid, Modern Islamic Political Thought, I.B. Tauris & Company, 2005. • Norton, Augustus Richard, Hezbollah, A Short History, Princeton; 2007. • Zubaida, Sami, Islam, the People and the State, I. B. Tauris & Company, 2009. OTHER READINGS: These texts are available for reading at the reserve desk of the Lied library.• Mehran Tamadonfar, The Islamic Polity and Political Leadership: Fundamentalism, Sectarianism, and Pragmatism, Westview Press; 1989. • Mehran Tamadonfar, “Islam, Law and Political Control in Contemporary Iran,” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion,Vol. 40, No. 2, 2001.pp. 205-220. • Mehran Tamadonfar, “Islamism in Contemporary Arab Politics: Lessons in Authoritarianism and Democratization,” in Jelen and Wilcox (ed.), Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective, Cambridge: pp. 141-165. COURSE CONDUCT AND EVALUATION POLICY: All students are required to attend class lectures regularly and participate in discussions effectively. Tardiness and unexcused absences adversely impact your grades. The instructor reserves the right to administratively drop a student in cases of chronic tardiness and/or abstention. I do encourage thoughtful participation in lectures and discussions. Please feel free to express yourselves in a civil and constructive manner. Be considerate towards others and their sensitivities. To be an effective participant, you must read your assignments prior to each class session and keep informed of the current events in the Muslim Middle East by reading newspapers or watching worthwhile new programs on television. I do ask a great deal of questions in class. Please be ready to answer question and reflect on what you have read in your assignments. Under no circumstance, the tape recording of lectures is allowed. Students are strictly prohibited from using any electronic devices in class without the explicit consent of the instructor. Any violations of this guideline and other issues related to academic dishonesty will be referred to the Student Conduct Officer for action. Course grades will be determined as follows: • Attendance and participation in class discussions ………………. 10 points • Mid-term examination on Feb. 16 ……………………………… 40 points • Final examination on May 4( 10:10 a.m.) ……………………… 50 points Failure to take the exams on the scheduled dates will result in failing grades for the missed exams. Those who miss the mid-term exam for well-documented legitimate and compelling excuses will be allowed to take oral make-up exams. There will be no makeup exams for the missed final exam. COURSE OUTLINE: January 12 INSTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW January 14 ISLAM IN CONTEMPORARY SCHOLARSHIP: Distinguishing Theology and PoliticsRequired Reading: - Alam, section One - Enayat, Introduction January 19, 21 ISLAM AND POLITICS Secularism, Universalism, and Centrality Suggested Reading: - Tamadonfar, The Polity, Chapter 2 January 26, 28 & THE ISLAMIC POLITY IN COMPARTIVE Feb. 2 & 4 PERSPECTIVE: Islam and Secular ideologies (Marxism, Democratic Capitalism and Pluralism, nationalism, and Socialism) Required Reading: - Enayat, chapter 4. - Zubaida, chapters 1,2, 3, 4 & 5. - Abbas, Chapters 4, 5 &7. The Islamic State: Feb. 9 &11 Historical context Required Reading: - Enayat, Chapters 2 & 3. - Zubaida, Chapter 6. - Abbas, Chapter, 1, 2 & 6. Feb. 16 MID-TERM EXAMINAITON Feb. 18, 23 & 25 Sectarianism and Factionalism Required Reading: - Enayat, Chapter1 & 5 ( II , III) Suggested Reading: -Tamadonfar, The Polity, Chapter 3 March 2, 4 & 9 Political authority (monarchism,Republicanism and populism) Required Reading: - Enayat, Chapter 5 ( I) -Abbas, Chapters 1, 2 & 8. Suggested Reading: - Tamadonfar,