Modernity has posed various challenges to Islamic ideas and ideals. This has an impact on Muslim societies in various ways and as such has given rise to many modern trends in Islam in both thought and practice. The purpose of this course is to examine the impact of modernity on Muslim societies and the response Muslim thinkers and states have provided to the challenges of modernity. The course critically analyses and further assesses the following themes; the evolution of the discourse of modernity in the west; the ways in which such discourse was received in the Muslim countries; and the development of various social and intellectual trends in the Muslim world in the contemporary era.

Syllabus:

• Modernity as an intellectual discourse
• Modernity as a political project
• Early Muslim encounters with Modernity
• Nativist, Ideologist and counter-hegemonic discourses
• Islamic revival and Modernity
• Post-revivalist Islamic Culture and the discourse of Modernity
• Islam and Hermeneutics
• Modern Islamic political discourse
• Islam and gender relations
• Muslim minorities
• Orientalism
• Islam and postmodernism
• Islamic path to Modernity
• Islam and modern ethical issues

Learning, Teaching, and Assessment Strategy

All learning materials are developed according to the SCATE format. Students are advised to study units available online followed by timetabled activities which are of crucial importance and require a serious attention. Students need to consult suggested reading materials which are not necessarily available online. At the same time, students are expected to contribute to Discussion Group as an integral part of their study. They would receive feedback regarding their activities and contribution by the module tutor. Extra reading and activities are provided for students who are interested to have a deeper and broader understanding of the issues of concern.

Formative Assessment
Formative assessment for this module will consist of written feedback from the lecturer, questioning and discussion through the online forums. One draft of the students’ final essay (coursework) may be handed in to the lecturer at the 12th learning week for formative assessment, in which the lecturer will give the student feedback on how to improve their research and quality of writing.

Summative Assessment
Students are required to submit 3 out of 5 Review Questions (RQ) and 3 out of 5 Activities (Act) as the weekly assignments for each module during the semester. All of these assignments as well as students’ final essays at the end of the semester will be commented and marked by tutors. Students can see those comments and marks in their drop box which are available in their D2L accounts. Finally, students are required to submit an Individual coursework -final essay (4000 words) on a relevant topic approved in advance by the module tutor.

Assessment Weighting
Activities: 30%
Review Questions & Discussion Group: 10%
Final Essay (Coursework): 60%
Students should get at least a pass mark for all three above components.

Core Reading:

1. Chittick, W. (2007) Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul. London: Oneworld
2. Cooper, J (2000) Islam and Modernity: Muslim Intellectuals Respond. IB Tauris
3. Esposito, J. & Voll, J. (2001) The Makers of Contemporary Islam. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4. Kurzman, C. (1998) Liberal Islam: A sourcebook. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
5. Masud K. M (2009). Islam and Modernity: Key Issues and Debates, Edinburgh University Press
6. Moaddel, M. &Talattuf, K. (ed.) (2006) Contemporary Debates in Islam: An Anthology of Modernist and Fundamentalist Thought. US: St Martin’s Press.
7. Mc Donough, S. (1984) Muslim Ethics and Modernity: A Comparative Study of the Ethical Thought, Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press
8. Rahman, F. (1984) Islam and Modernity: Transformation of an Intellectual Tradition. University of Chicago Press
9. Roy, Olivier. (2004) Globalised Islam: the search for a new Umma. London: Hurst & Company