Here are the questions for the final examination. Each question is worth 5 points.
Instructions
Don't rely on quotes or paraphrases from any of the readings to express your answers. Just as in the case of the Midterm exam, the only allowed use of quotations and paraphrases in this exam is to substantiate a point that you have already stated in your own words. All quotations and paraphrases must be accompanied by citations to their sources.
Unfortunately, at the end of the term, students occasionally find themselves running out of time and so they decide to ignore this rule. Then they have to be "executed". Don't let this happen to you. It is better to write a poor answer in your own words and get some credit than it is to try to get by with using a bunch of quotes that cause you to receive a failing grade and lots of grief. Plan ahead and allow enough time to demonstrate what you actually know. The exam should be an opportunity for learning because it asks you to reflect on what we've been talking about!
A good answer can be constructed for each question in about two pages. All the questions can be answered quite well by using course materials and class discussions; no additional research is needed. Video segments you may have missed are on course reserve on the 6th floor of Milner. (See note below for details.)
Answer each question separately, in order. Don't write a continuous essay to answer all the questions in a lump. Print out your answers, using space-and-a-half or double spacing.
Questions
1.
In what ways can the development of fundamentalist movements in Islam be seen as
religious responses to modern pressures on Islam? What are the aims of
these movements? How do the radical Islamists fit in with these general
aims?
2.
Describe liberal reform ideas in Islam and how these may be seen as Islamic
responses to issues within Islam raised by modernity. What objections
would be raised by Islamic traditionalists and fundamentalists against these
liberal ideas?
3.
Describe liberal reform ideas in Hinduism and how these may be seen as Hindu
responses to issues within Hinduism raised by modernity. How are these
liberal reform ideas different from or similar to the main ideas found in the
Hindutva movement?
4.
Describe how religious fundamentalisms can be seen as reform movements.
(Do this in general terms that would be applicable to all the religious
traditions we have studied.) In similarly general terms, distinguish
fundamentalisms from liberal reform movements. (That is, given that both
are engaged in reform efforts, why say they are different?) Illustrate
your general points with examples drawn from any religious tradition we have
discussed this semester.
Video clips
Video on Islamic fundamentalism came from People's Century: God Fights Back. The beginning of the tape contains material on the Islamic revolution in Iran. We also saw material on Egypt and the assassination of Sadat that occurs on the tape after a long segment on the Christian Right in the US.
Basic background on Islam, showing a variety of Muslims with a variety of opinions, came from Frontline: Muslims. We used the first segments of this DVD, through the segment on Turkey.
The very short segment on Hindutva came from the end of the People's Century tape.