Islam beyond Orientalism. Deconstructing Western knowledge of the "Muslim Others"

The objective of the course is twofold. First, it is to discuss the ways of representing Islam that have dominated in the Western structures of knowledge for the last 250 years and that have assumed cultural otherness of Islam and its separation from Europe. During the classes we will examine both academic and non-academic forms of knowledge and explain how they have contributed to the phenomenon of Orientalism most famously diagnosed by Edward W. Said. The second goal of the course will be to propose a deconstruction of Orientalist modes of knowledge of Islam and to point to alternative frameworks capable of overcoming epistemological shortcomings and political distortions that characterise them. In the second part of the course we will thus discuss selected works from the field of Islamology that are consciously trying to avoid reproducing the Orientalist clichés and we will examine the theoretical approaches as well as institutional conditions that are conducive to this goal. The most general objective of the course is to reflect on the cognitive and political challenges faced by the researchers who endeavour to study peoples, cultures and societies that have been coded as exemplifications of "otherness".

General learning outcomes for the course (OE)

Knowledge: student knows and understands

The concepts, causes and effects of colonialism and neo-colonialism

Geographical, social, cultural and political conditions of circulation of knowledge as well as scientific and social competences

Skills: student can

Interpret academic knowledge as a culturally conditioned phenomenon

Use methods of critical social, cultural and political analysis

Communicate with different circles of recipients of scientific theories

Social Skills: student is ready to

Question one's own worldview and cultural conditions

Approach cultural conflicts in a creative way

After completing the course and the confirmation of the achievement of the learning outcomes student:

is familiar with the concept of Orientalism, its critiques and applications

is familiar with the dominant ways of representing Islam in Western knowledge, both academic and non-academic

is able to identify neo-Orientalist elements in the present-day discourses on Islam and link them with history of Orientalism

is familiar with anti-Orienalist accounts of Islam, its topics, theoretical frameworks and applications

is able to explain the links between othering Muslims in the Western societies and Orientalist character of Western knowledge on Islam

Assessment criteria according to the scale used in AMU:

very good (bdb; 5.0): Very good knowledge of the literature discussed during the course, presentation of written work showing deep understanding of the problems covered by the course, ability to make creative use of the acquired knowledge, active participation in classes

good plus (+db; 4,5): Good knowledge of the literature discussed during the course, presentation of written work showing good understanding of the problems covered by the course, active participation in classes

good (db; 4,0): Good knowledge of the literature and problems discussed during the classes, presentation of written work meeting formal and content-related requirements, active participation in the classes

sufficient plus (+dst; 3,5): basic knowledge of the literature discussed during the classes, presentation of a written work showing sufficient understanding of the problems covered by the course, attendance at classes

sufficient (dst; 3,0): Knowledge of most of the literature discussed during the classes, presentation of written work showing partial or superficial understanding of the course issues, attendance at classes

Insufficient (ndst; 2.0): Insufficient attendance at classes, unfamiliarity with the literature and problems discussed during the course, failure to present the required written work or presentation of the work of insufficient quality