History and Institutions of Islamic Countries
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course is designed to provide students with a grounding in the historical development of Islamic doctrine and institutions, as well as a basic understanding of key events in the modern and contemporary history of North Africa and the Middle East. It aims to equip students with the necessary tools to understand current developments in the region—from recent conflicts in Afghanistan, Palestine and Syria to the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as the phenomenon of Islamic revival.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of key developments in the evolution of Islamic doctrine and of major turning points in the history of the Middle East. They will have the analytical skills to interpret and critically assess current events in the Middle East and will be able to communicate effectively on these topics. The acquired knowledge and critical thinking skills will also enable them to pursue further studies independently.
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Course syllabus
Key historical junctures in Middle Eastern history will be addressed with attention to their regional geopolitical context. Students will chose either the units I and II, or the units II and III. The following issues will be dealt with in the 1st unit: emergence of Islam, sunnism and shiism, classical political theory, relationship between political power and religious authority in medieval Islam, sufism, the gunpowder empires and their crisis, colonialism, Sionism. In the 2nd unit we will explore Arab nationalism, Islamic revivalism, fundamentalism, the partition of the Middle East between the two world wars, the islamization process in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the 1979 revolution in Iran, the two Gulf wars, the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. In the third unit we will go over the emergence and development of al-Qaeda, the post-bipolar Israel- Palestine conflict, the Arab springs, Iran-Saudi antagonism, the Islamic emirates in Afghanistan, the most recent protests in Iran (2022-23).
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Lectures
Teaching Resources
Attending students
6 credits:
Lecture notes
W. Cleveland e M. Bunton, Storia del Medio Oriente Moderno, Mondadori, 2020, except chapters 4, 5, 7.1-2, 11.4-11.6, 12.1-12.3, 14.2-3, 19.2, 20, and part six (dalla nascita dell'Islam fino alla fine degli anni '80 del Novecento).
OR:
W. Cleveland e M. Bunton, Storia del Medio Oriente Moderno, Mondadori, 2020, except pp. 1-141, cap. 4, 5, 7.1-2, 11.4-11.6, 12.1-12.3, 14.2-3, 19.2, 20, 24.2 (dalla prima guerra mondiale fino alle primavere arabe del 2011)
Non attending students:
6 credits:
W. Cleveland e M. Bunton, Storia del Medio Oriente Moderno, Mondadori, 2020, except chapters 4, 5, 7.1-2, 11.4-11.6, 12.1-12.3, 14.2-3, 19.2, and part six (from the birth of Islam to the 1980s)
OR:
W. Cleveland e M. Bunton, Storia del Medio Oriente Moderno, Mondadori, 2020, except pp. 1-141, cap. 4, 5, 7.1-2, 11.4-11.6, 12.1-12.3, 14.2-3, 19.2, 20, 24.2 (from the First world war to the Arab springs in 2011)
6 credits:
Lecture notes
W. Cleveland e M. Bunton, Storia del Medio Oriente Moderno, Mondadori, 2020, except chapters 4, 5, 7.1-2, 11.4-11.6, 12.1-12.3, 14.2-3, 19.2, 20, and part six (dalla nascita dell'Islam fino alla fine degli anni '80 del Novecento).
OR:
W. Cleveland e M. Bunton, Storia del Medio Oriente Moderno, Mondadori, 2020, except pp. 1-141, cap. 4, 5, 7.1-2, 11.4-11.6, 12.1-12.3, 14.2-3, 19.2, 20, 24.2 (dalla prima guerra mondiale fino alle primavere arabe del 2011)
Non attending students:
6 credits:
W. Cleveland e M. Bunton, Storia del Medio Oriente Moderno, Mondadori, 2020, except chapters 4, 5, 7.1-2, 11.4-11.6, 12.1-12.3, 14.2-3, 19.2, and part six (from the birth of Islam to the 1980s)
OR:
W. Cleveland e M. Bunton, Storia del Medio Oriente Moderno, Mondadori, 2020, except pp. 1-141, cap. 4, 5, 7.1-2, 11.4-11.6, 12.1-12.3, 14.2-3, 19.2, 20, 24.2 (from the First world war to the Arab springs in 2011)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written exam (2 questions for attending students; three questions for non attending students) with the aim of assessing the knowledge of the themes dealt with by the programme (in class for attending students), the capacity to interpret them in a critical manner and to espouse them with an adequate terminology. The active participation of attending students to the discussions will be taken into consideration.
SPS/14 - ASIAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Giunchi Elisa Ada
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 4,15 PM-6 PM
Room 9, Floor 1 (Via Conservatorio)