Global and Local Salafism 3600-GLS-OG

The course aims to provide knowledge on the phenomenon of Salafism – a radical version of Islam that has become crucial to understanding global history in the 21 st century. The class consists of two units: 1. the general notion of Salafism, 2. Salafi organisations in the contemporary world. Within the first unit, the tenets of the Salafi doctrine will be presented, including the heterogeneity of trends in modern Salafism. Participants will gain knowledge on the postulates of Salafism (such as rejection of the secular state, reluctance towards westernisation, attitude towards co-believers and non-believers etc.) based on the analysis of the thought of main ideologues representing this trend in Islamic radicalism. This part of the course will also include a presentation of modern methods of academic research on radical Islam, including a discussion on the main challenges and obstacles researchers face.
Within the second unit of the course, students will gain knowledge of the most notorious Salafi organisations in the contemporary world, including those active globally and locally in Asia, Africa and the West. Topics discussed will include the geneses of these organisations, the history of their development, their postulates, and their impact on the current security situation both in the local and global dimensions.

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Course coordinators

Sabina Brakoniecka

Learning outcomes

Having completed the course a student:

- has basic knowledge (including terminology, theory and methodology) in studies on radical Islam including Salafism
- can analyse the most important phenomena related to Salafi organisations in the contemporary world
- understands responsibility and ethical issues that come with imparting knowledge of chosen problems of Islamic radicalism
- can use cultural competencies in professional situations such as aid programmes, government programmes, and national security issues

Assessment criteria

- active participation in classes
- written assignment / final test
- attendance control (a student can be absent maximum twice during the semester; in the case of absence due to illness, the medical certificate excusing this absence should be submitted within seven days of the last day of the leave specified in the certificate)

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3600-GLS-OG in USOSweb