This course examines the changing relations between the ‘domain of Islam’ and ‘the West’, more specifically the United States, against the backdrop of the events of September 11, 2001, and its aftermath. It does so in both historical and contemporary terms. Its inquiry focuses more specifically on three main issues: the nature of Islam and its relations with the West in history, the rise of the United States to globalism since World War II and its role in the Muslim domain, and the problems with US and Muslim approaches in dealing with the phenomenon of international terrorism.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
This course aims to achieve the following specific outcomes:-
1. Course participants will learn about the religion of Islam, the relations between the Muslim World and the West, as well as the rise of international terrorism against the backdrop of the fluctuating relations between Islam and the West in both historical and contemporary terms.
2. Students will develop an ability to analyse and judge for themselves whether there is a relationship between Islam and terrorism at the doctrinal level, and to what extent the whole phenomenon of terrorism is embedded in politics rather than religion
3. Students will gain knowledge about the key concepts which have often been used but frequently misunderstood; such as Islam, Islamic, Islamist, terrorism, and resistance.
Staff Feedback
Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:
- written comments
- verbal comments
- feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc
Student Feedback
ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.
Class Schedule
Week/Session | Summary of Activities | Assessment |
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1 | Introduction: Setting the scene in an outline | |
2 | Discuss Islam as a faith, way of life and method of governance, and as a source of Islamism and definer of what constitutes sovereignty and state. | |
3 | Jihad, Crusades, European colonialism, and their impacts on the relations between the domain of Islam and the West. | |
4 | ‘The rise of the US as a global power in post-World War II and its penetration of a number of key Muslim states in its quest to contain Soviet communism played a major role in fermenting anti-US feelings among the populous in the Muslim world.’ Discuss critically. | |
5 | ‘The Iranian revolution of 1978/79 and its consequences played a key role in shaping Western, especially US, perceptions of Islamic fundamentalism and reactions to it.’ Evaluate. | |
6 | ‘The Palestinian problem and the US’s unqualified support of Israel since the 1950s are said to have made substantial contribution to fuelling radical political Islamism.’ Discuss critically. | |
7 | Afghanistan: a land of long conflicts. Discuss the nature of the Afghan conflicts and Major Power Involvement. | |
8 | ‘If it were not for the alliance forged between Pakistan’s military intelligence (ISI), the Taliban and Al Qaeda, Muslim extremism may not have assumed the expanded violent dimension that it has taken.’ Discuss this, and the successes and failures of the US counter-terrorism/counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan. | |
9 | ‘Terrorism’: What does it mean and to who is it applicable? | |
10 | ‘Militant Islamism [1]: ‘Al Qaeda and terrorism are synonymous. A great majority of Muslims have condemned Al Qaeda’s extremism, but the causes on which the network has relied can be discernible by many Muslims.’ Discuss this critically in relation to Al Qaeda’s ideological disposition and operation. | |
11 | Militant Islamism [2]: ‘The ‘Islamic State’ (IS) is essentially an offshoot of Al Qadea. It has its roots in Salafism and Wahhabism, although it has emerged against the backdrop of the Iraqi and Syrian conflicts’. Discuss this in relation to IS’s origins, ideology, structure, governance, and regional and international implications. | |
12 | The US-led Western responses to radical Islamism, its effectiveness, and the state of relations between the West and the Muslim domain. |
Assessment Summary
Assessment task | Value | Due Date | Return of assessment | Learning Outcomes |
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All assessment tasks | 100 % | 22/06/2019 | 28/06/2019 | 1,2,3 |
* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details
Policies
ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:
- Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
- Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
- Student Surveys and Evaluations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
Assessment Requirements
The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.
Moderation of Assessment
Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.
Assessment Task 1
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3
All assessment tasks
Please refer to the MEAS8111 course guide on the Wattle site for details of all assessment tasks.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.
Online Submission
You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.
Hardcopy Submission
For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Late Submission
Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:
- Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
- Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.
Referencing Requirements
Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.
Extensions and Penalties
Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.
Privacy Notice
The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.
Distribution of grades policy
Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.
Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.
Support for students
The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).
- ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
- ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
- ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
- ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
- ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
- ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
- PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students
Convener
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Research Interests |
EmPr Amin Saikal
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Instructor
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Research Interests |
EmPr Amin Saikal
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