POLITICAL THOUGHT OF ISLAMIC COUNTRIES

Within the framework of the course in Language, Politics and Economics of Arab Countries, the teaching module aims at providing a general picture of the political thought of Islamic countries, from classical theories of power to modern ideologies, developing the student's critical ability in the interpretation of the main contemporary political theories and their most recent developments. The main currents and the major doctrines and ideologists will be treated, with particular attention to the twentieth century. In particular we will consider nationalisms, Salafism, secular political doctrines and jihadist Islamism.

1. Knowledge and understanding:
Knowledge of the evolution of the political thought in Islamic context contextualized in the contemporary political, cultural and institutional dimensions; understanding of the dynamics and the endogenous and exogenous influences that determine the evolution of political doctrines up to the most current trends.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
Ability to apply the tools of cultural geography in evaluating the different aspects of the landscape and the complex dynamics that underpin inter-community relations in order to interact with people of different cultures.

3. Making judgements:
ability to critically and consciously evaluate the most current political ideologies and currents in the Arab countries.

4. Communication skills:
Ability to illustrate the different aspects dealt with in the course in a clear and analytical way.

5. Learning skills:
Ability to critically integrate the documents provided by the teacher and the notes taken in class.

Knowledge of contemporary history of the Middle East and basic Islamology notions

Classical theories of power (al-Mawardi, al-Ghazali); Ibn Taymiyyah; Ibn Khaldun; Wahhabism; Pan-Islamic nationalism, neo-ijtihad (Al-Afghani, Abduh), the Islamic socialism (Gaddafi), Arab socialism (Ba'th) pan-Arabism (Nasser); Political Islam (Rashid Rida, al-Banna, Qutb), the theoreticians of the Islamic state (al-Mawdudi, Khomeini), the jihadist Salafism (Azzam, Bin Laden), ISIS, secular thinkers (Abd al-Raziq).

Bibliography and handouts will be provided during the classes and uploaded on the moodle platform.

Preparatory readings
DE POLI, B., I musulmani nel Terzo Millennio, Carocci, Roma 2007.
BAUSANI, A., L'Islam, MIlano, Garzanti, 1999.

One of the following:
EMILIANI, M., Medio Oriente, 2 voll., Laterza, Bari 2012.
GUAZZONE, L., Storia contemporanea del mondo arabo, Mondadori, Milano 2016

The examination will consist of two parts: a written examination consisting of an analysis of a text provided by the lecturer (35% of the final grade); an oral examination to be prepared on the basis of the material uploaded on the Moodle platform (65% of the final grade), which will assess the student's understanding of the topics covered in the course. Details of the written test will be uploaded to the moodle platform.

oral

A. Scores in the 18-22 range will be awarded if:
- sufficient knowledge and applied understanding of the program;
- limited ability to collect and/or interpret data, formulating independent judgments;
- sufficient communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language related to the
economic functioning of public services;
B. Scores in the 23-26 range will be awarded if:
- fair knowledge and applied understanding of the program;
- fair ability to collect and/or interpret data, formulating independent judgments;
- fair communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language related to the
economic functioning of public services;
C. Scores in the 27-30 range will be awarded if:
- good or excellent knowledge and applied understanding of the program;
- good or excellent ability to collect and/or interpret data, formulating independent judgments;
- fully appropriate communication skills, especially in relation to the use of specific language that
pertains to the economic functioning of public services.
D. Honors will be awarded for applied knowledge and understanding of the
program, excellent judgment, and excellent communication skills.

Lectures supported by power point, commenting readings and video material.