SISU-385 Islam and Democracy (3)


The purpose of democracy in Islam is primarily to serve the community--the collective good--rather than the individual, while democracy in Western liberalism underscores individualism. However, as in other religions, there are democratic precepts and practices in Islam which promote the rights of the individual. This course seeks answers to questions raised by Islam's relation to democracy, including what Islamic traditions, precepts, and practices are most promising for the support of democracy; the ramifications of an Islamic civil society; what roles women play; and the most important issues and forces behind contemporary Islamic activism for democracy. Grading: A-F only. Prerequisite: SISU-206  and SISU-280 .

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