Contemporary Muslim Societies
Anthropology 250
Spring 2006

Professor: Dr. Hsain Ilahiane, 322B Curtiss Hall, 294-6145, hsain@iastate.edu

Class Hours:  TTH, 12:40 -2, 208 Curtiss Hall.

Office Hours: Wednesday from 3-5, or by appointment.

NOTES: 

1.  If you would like a hard copy of the syllabus, I will be more than delighted to provide you with a copy.

2.  Iowa State University complies with the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.  Any student who may require an accommodation under such provisions should contact me as soon as possible and no later than the end of the first week of class or as soon as you become aware. No retroactive accommodations will be provided in this class.

Course Content and Learning Objectives:

This course presents an anthropological analysis of Islam as a key factor for understanding contemporary Muslim societies. The course will address the significance of Islam in public and domestic life. Moving beyond approaches that locate Islam geographically, highlighting its particularities and links to local cultural contexts, this course offers a comparative approach to the examination of central cultural, social, and political practices of contemporary Muslim societies. The course examines the ways in which regional, cultural, and historical processes intersect with Islam as a religious, legal, cultural, economic, and political system and provide frameworks for understanding Islam as the globalizing phenomena that it is today.

Drawing on anthropological theory and on ethnographic studies from North Africa and the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, South and Southeast Asia, Europe, North and South America, we will explore the following themes: 1) The Geography and History of the Muslim World; 2) Geopolitics and Conflicts: Water, Oil, and Land; 3) Muslim Societies: Family, Community, Law and Leadership, and Democracy; 4) Shrine and Mosque: Ritual and Religious Authority; 5) Beyond the Veil and the Harem: Constructions of Gender and Sexuality; 4) Conflict and Violence Beyond the State; and 5) “Mobile” Islam: Information and Communication Technologies..

The learning objectives of this course are: 1) To acquire an understanding of the physical, historical, political, economic and cultural forces shaping contemporary Muslim societies; 2) To acquire an understanding of the role of Islam and its interpretations in social and political change, and the character of problems faced by subject populations throughout the Muslim World; 3) To acquire an understanding and working knowledge of local and global linkages in and around contemporary Muslim societies; and 4) To understand that “GLOBALLY MEANS THINKING LOCALLY.”

Class time is devoted to lecture, discussion, and multimedia.  Coming prepared to discuss the assigned readings is essential.  Evaluation is based on participation, attendance and class contribution, performance on assignments, and overall evidence of your engagement with the main concepts and issues.  Attendance, class participation (including office hours), timely completion of written assignments and readings, and film viewing is critical.  Attendance is taken; you are allowed one unexcused absence, beyond which you put your overall evaluation at risk.  To register a legitimate absence, inform me in a timely fashion, and meet with me ASAP to discuss missed material. 

Questions regarding class material, assignments, or general conduct of the course are best raised during office hours.  I strongly invite students to meet with me individually or in small groups throughout the semester.