This module critically investigates a number of debates and topics relating to Muslims and the contemporary world.  We shall focus upon Muslims in liberal democratic societies, especially Britain.  We shall look at two concepts: identity and prejudice and consider how these map onto the case of Muslims in Britain and democratic societies.  In this way, the module will enable you to engage with a range of issues affecting Islam and Muslims in the contemporary context: gender, youth, sacred space, citizenship, freedom of expression and politics.

1.      Describe and analyse the recent history and development of Muslims and Islam in Britain.

2.      Critically assess the differences and diversity amongst Muslims in Britain.

3.      Describe and analyse how the issues of gender, youth, sacred place and authority function amongst Muslims in contemporary Britain.

4.      Analyse and evaluate particular cases related to Muslims and Islam in European public life.

5.      Apply and evaluate theory on ‘identity’ and ‘racism’ to Muslims and Islam in Europe.

1.    Lectures and seminars based on a range of textual and AV sources.

2.    Group presentations.

1.    Describe, synthesize and analyse information from a range of multi-disciplinary primary and secondary sources.

2.    Evaluate and critically assess a range of arguments.

3.    Apply theoretical concepts to particular cases.

4.    Produce work that is clearly written and which develops evidence based arguments within a set time-frame.

5.    Present a piece of scholarly work to peers in a 10 minute presentation prepared in advance.

The module will be assessed by means of two essays of 2,000 words each.

Settlement of Muslims in Britain

Typology of Muslims in Britain

Gender & Youth

Religious leadership & mosques

Identity

Prejudice

Citizenship

Politics

Freedom of Expression: The ‘Danish Cartoon Affair’

Betz, H-G. & Meret, S. 'Revisiting Lepanto: the political mobilization against Islam in contemporary Western Europe' in M. Malik (ed.) Anti- Muslim Prejudice (Abingdon, 2010)

Bilsky, L. 'Muslim headscarves in France and army uniforms in Israel: a comparative study of citizenship as mask' in M. Malik (ed.) Anti- Muslim Prejudice (Abingdon, 2010)

Bilsky, L. 'Citizenship as Mask: Between Imposter and the Refugee'. Constellations 15 (2008), 72-97; see Learning Central

Bleich, E. 'Where do Muslims stand on the ethno-racial hierarchies in Britain and France? Evidence from public opinion surveys, 1988-2008' in M. Malik (ed.) Anti- Muslim Prejudice (Abingdon, 2010)

Fernandez, S. 'The crusade over the bodies of women' in M. Malik (ed.) Anti- Muslim Prejudice (Abingdon, 2010)

Gilliat-Ray, S. Muslims in Britain, An Introduction (Cambridge, 2010)

Ghanem, A. 'State and minority in Israel: the case of ethnic state and the predicament of its minority'. Ethnic and Racial Studies 21 (1998), 428-448; see Learning Central

Hall, S. ‘The Question of Cultural Identity’ in Polity Reader in Cultural Theory (Oxford, 2004), 119-125; see Learning Central

International Migration 44 (2006): 'The Danish Cartoon Affair: Free Speech, Racism, Islamism, and Integration'; see Learning Central

Malik, K. 'Islamophobia Myth', Prospect, Feb 2005 (London: Prospect Publishing Ltd.), 28-31; see Learning Central

Pappe, I. The Forgotten Palestinians (Yale, 2011, 2013), 1-45, 264-275; the minimum reading is available on Learning Central entitled Pappe 1 - however, this is a very readable book and I suggest you read it all to get a proper overview of the subject.  It is easily available as an e-book - please ask the library staff for details of access.

Pappe, I. 'Zionism as Colonialism: A comparative view of diluted colonialism in Asia and Africa'. South Atlantic Quarterly 107 (2008), 611-633; see Learning Central

Smooha, S. 'The model of ethnic democracy: Israel as a Jewish and democratic state'. Nations and Nationalism 8 (2002), 475-503; see Learning Central

Winant, H. ‘The theoretical status of the concept of race’ in L. Back and J. Solomos (eds) Theories of Race and Racism, A Reader (Abingdon, 2000), 181-190; see Learning Central