POL 321 - Classical Islamic Political Thought

This course introduces the history, topics, and problems of Islamic political thought and praxis to the year 1500 CE. Subjects examined will include the scriptural and traditional basis of Islamic political thought, the development of the concepts and institutions of the caliphate and the imamate, the importance of pre- and extra-Islamic political concepts and practices for Islamic politics, the theory and practice of Islamic monarchy, and Arabic and Islamic rationalist and philosophical political theories, among others. Emphasis will be given to understanding political structures through historical inquiry.

At the end of each class a single reading will be assigned. The following week’s class will consist of a lecture that covers material relevant to this reading, a class discussion, and a writing period. At the end of the class period, students will submit a short essay discussing the reading, and a new reading will be assigned. At the end of the term, the average of each student’s weekly writing assignment grades will be used to determine %35 of the student’s final grade. Grades will be based upon level of intellectual engagement with the assigned material and quality of English usage. The other %65 will be awarded on the basis of the mid-term and final exams.

Black, Antony. The History of Islamic Political Thought. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2001-2011.

Two course assesments

Mid-Term Exam: 40%
Final Exam: 60%

In response to changing events, these assessments may be modified.

Exam essay format

Introduction, body and conclusion

Students should demonstrate the following elements in their answers: knowledge of the course materials, a clear and coherent essay structure and their point of view and interpretation.

Rules of conduct in the classroom for quizzes and exams

Students are not allowed to have mobile phones, digital watches and bags with me them during examinations. If these items or objects are with students, this will result in an automatic grade of 0%.

Any evidence of cheating such as pieces of paper with notes found on students or writing on students' hands and wrists will result in an automatic grade of 0%. Students who have been caught cheating during exams will be subject to a faculty disciplinary investigation that may lead to them being suspended from university and the punishment being in their student record.