The module begins by assessing why the role of religion in world politics is ignored by International Relations (IR) theories. The second part of the module identifies key issues of the European historical experience and their reflections in the region such as the rise of the modern state system, nationalism, secularization, democratization and gender equality. The third part of the module, in turn, explores the impact of these key issues on the development of the modern Middle East. Different trajectories of the relationship between religion and politics will be drawn and discussed in the specific contexts of Israel, Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. The fourth part of the module focuses on the contemporary debates on the existence of an Islamic threat and the `clash of civilizations¿. The module concludes by examining the causes of Islamic terrorism since 9/11 and the current crises in the Middle East

LECTURE AND SEMINAR PROGRAMME

Part 1 Religion and International Relations
Lecture 1 Introduction: Religion and IR
Lecture 2 Christianity, Islam, and Judaism
Lecture 3 Modernity, modernization and Islam

Part II Themes and Issues
Lecture 4 The modern state system and Islam
Lecture 5 Religion, Nationalism and identity
Lecture 6 Secularism: state and religious institutions
Lecture 7 Democratization and political change
Lecture 8 Islamic law and Women

Part III Case Studies
Lecture 9 State and Zionism: Israel
Lecture 10 Secularism and Islam: Turkey
Lecture 11 Revolution and Islam: Iran
Lecture 12 Wahabism and `True Islam¿: Saudi Arabia

Part IV Contemporary Issues
Lecture 13 The Islamic Threat and 9/11
Lecture 14 Al-Qaeda and Islamic terrorism
Lecture 15 Contemporary crises in the Middle East
Lecture 16 Revision

Seminar 1 Religion and International Relations
Seminar 2 Modernity and Islam
Seminar 3 Islam, secularism and democracy
Seminar 4 Case Studies 1 ¿ Israel and Turkey
Seminar 5 Case Studies 2 ¿ Iran and Saudi Arabia
Seminar 6 The Islamic Threat: myth or reality?
Seminar 7 Al-Qaeda and Islamic terrorism