Islam beyond Orientalism. Deconstructing Western knowledge of the "Muslim Others" 31-KO20Z10
The objective of the course is twofold. First, it is to discuss the ways of representing Islam that have dominated in the Western structures of knowledge for the last 250 years and that have assumed cultural otherness of Islam and its separation from Europe. During the classes we will examine both academic and non-academic forms of knowledge and explain how they have contributed to the phenomenon of Orientalism most famously diagnosed by Edward W. Said. The second goal of the course will be to propose a deconstruction of Orientalist modes of knowledge of Islam and to point to alternative frameworks capable of overcoming epistemological shortcomings and political distortions that characterise them. In the second part of the course we will thus discuss selected works from the field of Islamology that are consciously trying to avoid reproducing the Orientalist clichés and we will examine the theoretical approaches as well as institutional conditions that are conducive to this goal. The most general objective of the course is to reflect on the cognitive and political challenges faced by the researchers who endeavour to study peoples, cultures and societies that have been coded as exemplifications of "otherness".
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
General learning outcomes for the course (OE)
Knowledge: student knows and understands
The concepts, causes and effects of colonialism and neo-colonialism
Geographical, social, cultural and political conditions of circulation of knowledge as well as scientific and social competences
Skills: student can
Interpret academic knowledge as a culturally conditioned phenomenon
Use methods of critical social, cultural and political analysis
Communicate with different circles of recipients of scientific theories
Social Skills: student is ready to
Question one's own worldview and cultural conditions
Approach cultural conflicts in a creative way
After completing the course and the confirmation of the achievement of the learning outcomes student:
is familiar with the concept of Orientalism, its critiques and applications
is familiar with the dominant ways of representing Islam in Western knowledge, both academic and non-academic
is able to identify neo-Orientalist elements in the present-day discourses on Islam and link them with history of Orientalism
is familiar with anti-Orienalist accounts of Islam, its topics, theoretical frameworks and applications
is able to explain the links between othering Muslims in the Western societies and Orientalist character of Western knowledge on Islam
Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria according to the scale used in AMU:
very good (bdb; 5.0): Very good knowledge of the literature discussed during the course, presentation of written work showing deep understanding of the problems covered by the course, ability to make creative use of the acquired knowledge, active participation in classes
good plus (+db; 4,5): Good knowledge of the literature discussed during the course, presentation of written work showing good understanding of the problems covered by the course, active participation in classes
good (db; 4,0): Good knowledge of the literature and problems discussed during the classes, presentation of written work meeting formal and content-related requirements, active participation in the classes
sufficient plus (+dst; 3,5): basic knowledge of the literature discussed during the classes, presentation of a written work showing sufficient understanding of the problems covered by the course, attendance at classes
sufficient (dst; 3,0): Knowledge of most of the literature discussed during the classes, presentation of written work showing partial or superficial understanding of the course issues, attendance at classes
Insufficient (ndst; 2.0): Insufficient attendance at classes, unfamiliarity with the literature and problems discussed during the course, failure to present the required written work or presentation of the work of insufficient quality
Notes
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Term 2020/SZ:
Note: the classes will be held on the Microsoft Teams platform. Details will be given to those enrolled in the classes. |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: