Islamic History II*

Logistics

1)  Weekly Reflections:

You will be expected to analyze and discuss the assigned readings at each session.  Weekly reflections will be your “talking points.”  They will help you organize your thoughts and prepare for each class.

Our class meets on Tuesdays at 4:30 pm.  You are required to email me your reflection by 12:00 pm on the day of the class.   Each reflection must be around 2 pages (a bit less or a bit more does not matter).  Please approach each reflection as a dialogue between you and the readings. In other words, what are your thoughts on one or two points an author makes? What are some questions that have arisen while you read the assignment?

It is up to you to shape each reflection.  Some possible ways may be to

·    Reflect on an idea you found intriguing

·    Explore how an author presents a particular theme

·    Think through implications of a particular idea (don’t make it too broad)

·    Compare between this and previous weeks’ readings.

·    Trace how this week’s reading speaks to a theme we have encountered earlier.

End each reflection with 2 or 3 questions you would like to ask in class.

You will be required to start submitting reflections as of our 2nd session.  The grade for this assignment will be based on the quantity and quality of your submissions.  I will return printed copies of your reflection with a grade of either a “+” or a “ -.” Plus stands for pass, and minus for fail.

The scale for the final evaluation will be as follows:

A=11 passing entries

B=8 passing entries

C+ = 6 passing entries

C=5 passing entries

F=4 or fewer passing entries.

No late submissions will be accepted. There will be no way to make up for missed reflections.

2)  Midterm and Final Essays:

You will have to submit two essays during the semester.   The midterm essay should be 5-7 pages in length.  The final essay should be 10-12 pages.

I will assign the topic for the midterm paper.   However, you will be responsible for selecting the subject of your final essay.

Please feel free to contact me with your ideas for both papers at any stage of preparation. Grading standards for the essays will be:

A = Excellent.  Excellent presentation and analysis that demonstrates original interpretation.

B = Good.  Solid command of facts and good attempt at analysis.

C+ = Adequate in the sense of doing minimal compliance with the assignment.

C = Poor; did not complete the assignment adequately but shows some effort.

F = Failing; did not complete the assignment.

3)  Class Presentation:

At the end of semester, we will hold three sessions where each student will present and defend their proposal for the final essay.  In the week when you present your proposal, you will not be required to submit a reflection.  Instead, you will e-mail me your proposal, which must include: a) preliminary title; b) thesis statement (1 paragraph); c) brief outline of your analysis; d) bibliography.

Texts

Daniel Goffman. The Ottoman Empire and Early Modern Europe (Cambridge University Press,2002)

Orhan Pamuk. My Name is Red (Vintage International, 2002)

Roy Mottahedeh. The Mantle of the Prophet (One World, 2000, 2nd ed.)

Ilan Pappe. A History of Modern Palestine (Cambridge University Press, 2006, 2nd ed.)

Muhammad Qasim Zaman. The Ulama in Contemporary Islam (Princeton University Press,2002)

Saba Mahmoud. Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival and the Feminist Subject (PrincetonUniversity Press, 2005)

Amina Wadud.  Inside the Gender Jihad (Oneworld Publications, 2006)

*In addition, I will assign short primary source readings, which will be available either on SONISWEB, via e-mail, or as links to online sources.

Schedule

September 4 – Introduction

·    Marilyn Waldman, “Prehistory and History of the Islamic Community,” Encyclopaedia Britannica article (on SONISWEB)

·    Charles Tilly, "The Europe of Columbus and Bayazid," Middle East Report 22, no. 178 (September/October), pp. 2-5 (on SONISWEB)

·    Francis Robinson, "Technology and Religious Change:  Islam and the Impact of Print," Modern Asian Studies 27, no. 1 (1993), pp. 229-51. (ON SONISWEB)

September 11 – The Ottoman Case

·     Goffman, Part I, pp. 1-130

September 18 – The Ottoman Case

·    Goffman, Part II, pp. 131 - 234

September 25 - The Ottoman Case

·    Orhan Pamuk, My Name is Read, pp 1-177

October 2 –  The Ottoman Case

·    My Name is Red, pp. 178-413

October 9 - The Case of Iran

·    Roy Mottahedeh, The Mantle of the Prophet: Religion and Politics in Iran, pp. TBD October 16 – The Case of Iran

·    The Mantle, pp. TBD October 23 – The Case of Iran

·    The Mantle, pp. TBD

October 30 -  The Case of Palestine/Israel

·    Ilan Pappe, A History of Modern Palestine, pp. 1-140

November 6 - Palestine/Israel

·    A History of Modern Palestine, pp. 141-293

Deadline for Midterm Papers

November 13 - Intellectual and Institutional Transitions: The case of the `ulama

·    Muhammad Qasim Zaman, The Ulama in Contemporary Islam

November 20 -  No Class