Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - HUM 360 B300

Special Topics: Great Themes in the Humanistic Tradition (4)

Muslim&West:Intrsec&Controv

Class Number: 4433

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Interdisciplinary study of a selected theme that has made a lasting contribution to the humanistic tradition in more than one field of endeavour (e.g., philosophy, politics, literature, economics, religion). May be repeated once for credit when a different topic is taught. Students who have credit for a course with this content under another Humanities course may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

The Muslim & Western Worlds: Intersections and Controversies

Embark on an engaging journey through "Intersecting Cultures: The Muslim & Western Worlds." Traverse the historical corridors of the complex interplay between Muslim and Western societies, from the spread of Islam across the Mediterranean and Europe to Western colonial expansion into Muslim-majority lands, and the consequent wave of Muslim migration across the globe.  

Uncover the pivotal role of Islam and the "Muslim Other" in shaping Europe and the "West" as distinct cultural and political entities. Begin your exploration through the lens of medieval Spanish and Byzantine epics, recounting the first encounters between Muslims and Europeans. Venture forth into the chronicles of Arab conquests, the Ottoman expansion into Europe, and the shared existence of Christians, Muslims, and Jews in Europe.  

Delve deeper into the coexistence and conflict between Muslims and Christians, reflected vividly in popular, literary, visual, and artistic culture from those initial encounters to the present. Join us as we peel back layers of history to understand our intertwined world better. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course aims to empower students with a holistic understanding of the relationship between Islam and the "West." By the end of this course, the students will:  

  1. Grasp the social and cultural constructs of Islam and the "West," enabling them to analyze these constructs from different perspectives, considering historical, social, and cultural contexts. 

  2. Engage in critical discussions about the relationship between Islam and the "West." This includes debates on historical interactions, cultural exchanges, conflicts, and coexistence. 

  3. Acquire an extensive knowledge of various authors, texts, and cultural products that explore the relationship between Islam and the "West." This familiarity will allow students to understand the various societal manifestations of these concepts. 

  4. Gain proficiency in using academic sources efficiently. Students will learn to craft persuasive, logical, and well-structured arguments that contribute to the development of a thesis or the structuring of a paper. This will enhance their academic writing skills and enable them to present cogent arguments with clarity and conviction. 

Grading

  • Participation 20%
  • Four short diary entries 40%
  • Mid-term exam 20%
  • One 1500-word essay 20%

NOTES:

This course fulfills the Global Humanities requirements for the

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

  • Michel Houellebecq (2016). Submission: A Novel. Picador.

  • Sherene Razack (2008). Casting Out: The Eviction of Muslims from Western Law and Politics. University of Toronto Press.

  • Edward Said (1979). Orientalism. Vintage Books.

  • Spyros A. Sofos and Roza Tsagarousianou (2013). Islam in Europe: Public Spaces and Civic Networks. Palgrave Macmillan.

The material we will use includes sociological and historical sources, literary texts from medieval, early modern, and contemporary periods, as well as spoken word, visual records, films, and TV series. The course also includes a day’s fieldwork in places related to Islam and the Muslim communities of Metro Vancouver.  

Additional material will be posted on Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.