Middle Eastern Studies 392MA - S-Mod Arab Political Thought

This course examines the history of the ideas that have animated Arab society since the time of the "Arab Renaissance" in the mid 19th century, through colonial and postcolonial times, and up until the present. Through close readings of selected texts in this historical canon, we will examine the following questions and themes: how do Arab thinkers conceive of "Arab" identity? How do "Arab" identities relate to "other" identities? How has political freedom been defined by these authors? Do they imagine a uniquely "Arab" way to achieve such freedom? What are perceived as the legitimate bases of political authority in Arab society? Is revolution or reform the best way for establishing such authority?

The class will examine how central Arab thinkers formulate different responses to these questions. This examination will highlight some of the key ways in which Arab thinking about key political concepts (political freedom, justice, legitimacy, change) is similar to, and distinct from, the ways it has been conceived in western political theory.