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:
- critically analyse 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;
- analyse and judge 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; and,
- evaluate key concepts which have often been used but frequently misunderstood; such as Islam, Islamic, Islamist, terrorism, and resistance.
Indicative Assessment
- 3,000 word essay (60) [LO 1,2,3]
- Final Exam (40) [LO 1,2,3]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 24 hours of contact over 12 weeks at seminars; and,
b) 106 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
There are no prescribed texts for this course. All readings will be made available on Wattle.
Preliminary Reading
Gerges, F.A. The Far Enemy: Why Jihad Went Global, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.
Saikal, A. Islam and the West: Conflict or Coperation?, London, Palgrave MacMillan, 2003
Lewis, B. The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror, London: Weidenfeld & Nicholason, 2003
Chomsky, N. & Achcar, G. Perilous Power: The Middle East and US Foreign Policy, London: Hamish Hamilton, 2007.
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $3840 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5460 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4402 | 22 Feb 2021 | 01 Mar 2021 | 31 Mar 2021 | 28 May 2021 | In Person | View |