Religion and Modernities in the Modern Middle East

Course goals

• Acquire a broad overview of the timelines and main events that shaped the histories of religion and modernity in the Middle East;
• Understand and analyse how the transition to modernity has transformed the three monotheistic religions;
• Learn to differentiate between the various religious groups within the three monotheistic religions;
• Gain a better understanding of the modern and contemporary role of religion in Middle Eastern affairs;
• Develop the ability to reflect critically and analytically on the knowledge gained during the course.

Content

The course focuses on the role of religion in the modern and contemporary Middle East and will cover four main parts:

1. Introduction to Islam and its relations to the other monotheistic religions, namely Christianity and Judaism. This first part will also introduce to student to the main differences between the main Islamic sects, i.e. Sunna and Shia, as well as the diverse theological groups within the dominant Sunni Islam.

2. Islam and modernity: here a number of important Islamic thinkers and their reactions to modernity will be tackled. This includes not only modern reformist movements and authors, but also modernist and Islamist thinkers as well. 

3. Christian-Muslim relations in the Middle East: this part is a historical overview of the various Christian communities in the Middle East, their relation to the dominant Muslim majority, and - last but not least - the effects of modern Christian missionary activities on the region.

4. Jewish-Muslim relations: the last part will cover the historical importance of Jewish communities in the Middle East and North Africa.  Here the focus will be set on the effects of creation of the state of Israel and its impact on Jewish-Muslin relations. 

Additional information

This course is part of the 'verdiepingspakket' Islam and the minor The Middle East.