| Unit name | The Caliph, the Imam and the Orientalist |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS20230 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Toby Matthiesen |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None. |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
The division of Islam into two major branches, Sunnism and Shiism, has shaped the Islamic world and sometimes fueled conflict. After the death of Prophet Muhammad, his followers fought over who would succeed him and guide the new faith. That original split was to be of paramount importance. But what really is the relationship between Sunnism and Shiism, and how did the two come into being? This unit will move chronologically; we will firstly study how Sunnism and Shiism developed historically and doctrinally, and how different Muslim Empires embraced one side or the other. The unit will then focus on how colonial rule over Muslims and the emerging academic discipline of Orientalism institutionalised the division in the modern period. Lastly, we will look at how the 1979 Iranian revolution and the US-led interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq sectarianised the politics of the Middle East and the wider Islamic world. By the end of the unit, we will have gained a deeper understanding of Sunnism and Shiism and their many interactions, and the ways in which religion and politics intersect.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Specialist subject options are offered in the second and final years of the Religion and Theology programmes. Specialist subject options are available to students on Liberal Arts programmes and may be also available to study abroad students, and students on other BA programmes. The portfolio of units available will change from year to year based on staff availability, but it will represent a full range of research strengths across the department, as well as demonstrating our commitment to supporting choice and providing increased optionality as students progress through their programme.
An overview of content
As part of this unit, we will tackle several topics and issues relevant for the understanding of Islam in a global context. Most importantly, we will see how Islam’s main branches were formed in a dialectical process, and how this interacted with wider world historical developments. We will gain a better understanding of Sunnism and Shiism, their various sub-branches and schools of jurisprudence, and their often-entangled relations. We will be looking specifically at Sunni-Shii relations in various Muslim Empires like the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires, as well as how these relations have played out in the modern period in countries like Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, India, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Students will therefore also gain a better understanding of the religious makeup and history of these states. Specifically, we will also be focusing on the impact of colonialism and Orientalism on Muslim law and political thought, and on the communal boundaries between Muslim groups. We will also analyse the impact of foreign political and military interventions, including in the recent past, in Muslim-majority countries.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Through this unit, you will gain a more in-depth understanding of the diversity of Islam and will be stimulated to reflect on the interrelations between various Islamic traditions. You will develop appropriate skills in academic writing based on secondary sources, critical thinking, comparative analysis, and argumentation in written communication.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Portfolio, 1,500 words (40%) [ILOs 1-4]
Essay, 2,500 words (60%) [ILOs 1-4]
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THRS20230).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
