This course aims at analyzing the various political expressions of Shiism in the Arab world and Iran. It will mostly deal with mainstream Twelver Shiism but will make some incursions in the history and sociology of some of the Shia minority sects (Zaydis in Yemen in particular). The seminar follows a historical logic, beginning with an introduction to the early history of Shiism to end with a conclusion about the recent debates around the Shia revival and sectarianism. It has a thematic focus in some sessions: the organization and socio-political role of the clerics, the peculiarities of Shia political Islam as opposed to Sunni political Islam, the Shia revival. Other sessions will concentrate on specific countries where Shiism is an important social and political factor: Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Yemen.
Learning Outcomes
1. Acquire a fair knowledge of Shia politics in the Arab world and Iran
2. Compare between the different contexts
3. Identify key notions and theories related to the study of Shia politics
Professional Skills
Make a synthetic and argumented oral presentation on a given subject containing empirical evidences framed by relevant concepts and theories.
Choose a relevant and doable subject for a written essay of 4 000 words containing empirical evidences framed by relevant concepts and theories.
Distinguish and hierarchize sources (academic works, press sources, policy papers, first hand sources).
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 4 hours a week / 48 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 30 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: / 48 hours a semester
A collective (2 students) oral presentation on a subject assigned by the professor (40%)
An individual final paper on a subject related to the course due for the end of the course (50%)
Feedback about the final papers will be given after the end of the class, with the final grading.