IV. Islam
and modernity
|
| For this date |
Reading to do |
Things to do |
Submit Deadline |
| Tue. 10/25 |
No new reading. |
Midterm exam due. Class is an introduction
to Islam. |
Tue. 10/25 |
| Thur. 10/27 |
Machina, "Understanding Islam", 58 - 75. |
Just read and make a note of anything you want
to ask about. |
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| Excerpts from al-Quran, 245-246. |
|
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| Tue. 11/1 |
Machina, finish "Understanding Islam". |
Bring any questions or objections to class for
discussion. |
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| al-Khatib, "Why Islamic States?", 255-256. |
Think: What is it about modernity that is
pushing some Muslims to propose Islamic states? |
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| Thur. 11/3 |
Machina, "Secular Nation-State vs.
Religious Nation-State", 49-53. |
Write one paragraph: Would an Islamic state
necessarily be undemocratic? |
Thur. 11/3 |
| Associated Press, "Saudis and the Religious
Police" 259. |
As you read, note that Saudi Arabia is not an
Islamic state. (It's an absolute monarchy, ruled by a royal family
whose personal commitment to Islam is at least doubtful.) |
-- |
| Reuters, "Pakistan Islamists Smear Billboards",
257. And CNN, "Life under the Taliban". 261-264. |
Read to get some examples of what kind of life
the more puritanical Islamists want to impose in Muslim countries. |
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| -- |
Check out these
comments from Eric Lamore about the midterm exams, with some useful
advice about writing take-home exams for this class. |
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| Tue. 11/8 |
Machina, "Al Quaeda", 87 - 91. |
Write: Why were the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon targeted by al-Quaeda? |
Tue. 11/8 |
| "Instructions to the Sept. 11 Hijackers", 247 -
254. |
Look for the religious connections. No
need to pay attention to all the details. |
|
| Thurs. 11/10 |
Some reading and an online quiz to take, found
here. |
|
|
| Machina, "Islam and Democracy", 92-98. |
Write: how can anyone take al-Quran
seriously and still be in favor of democratic principles? |
Thur. 11/10 |
| Tolston, "Defender of the Faith", 265-267. |
Here are the instructions for Essay 3. Due Thur. 11/17. |
Thur. 11/17 |
| V.
Hinduism and modernity |
| Tue. 11/15 |
Machina, "Understanding Hinduism", 99 - 118. |
Make a note of questions you have, or things
that especially interested you. |
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| Thur. 11/17 |
No new reading. |
Essay 3 due today. T |
Thur. 11/17 |
| Thanksgiving Break. Have a
good holiday. |
| Tue. 11/29 |
Two excerpts from materials about
the Hindutva movement, by the R.S.S., 268 to end of packet |
Make brief notes about any remarks in the
readings that provide evidence that the R.S.S. is promoting a religious
agenda (and not just a nationalistic cultural agenda). Turn these
in. |
Tue. 11/29 |
|
Here are the instructions for Essay 4, due 12/6. |
Tue. 12/6 |
| Thur. 12/1 |
Read about a horrific train-burning
incident, found
here. Then read about the beginning of the subsequent Hindutva-inspired
rioting, found
here. For those who couldn't see the Web site in class on Tue., or who
want to see it again, click
here. |
The video clip shown in class on Tues. is from
the very end of the People's Century tape, on reserve
in Milner.
Think about this: Is the violence you are reading about related to
Hinduism, or to nationalism, or what? |
-- |
| Tue. 12/6 |
No new reading. If you have time, you
might take a look at a Hindutva analysis of the news
here. |
Note that there are some links to information
about India at the bottom of the page, in case you'd like to check them out. Essay 4 due today. |
Tue. 12/6 |
| Thur. 12/8 |
No new reading. |
Course wrap-up. Come with questions about
the final exam. |
|
| |
There is no in-class final examination.
Here is some new material on
liberal reform in Hinduism. |
Follow the instructions found
here for the
outside-of-class final examination. Due Tue. 12/13, 4 pm. |
Final Tue. 12/13 |
| Have a good break between
semesters. Keep safe. Congratulations to those who may be
graduating. |
