History and politics of north africa and the middle east

The course will address the evolution of Islamic political doctrine, with a focus on contemporary phenomena such as that of jihadism, salafism, political Islam, post-Islamism, and the relationship between oppositional Islamic parties and government across a range of settings. These themes will be analysed by looking at how local contexts, analysed through an historical lens, intersect with trans-regional phenomena triggered by the new media and migration. The students will thus acquire an advanced understanding of the relationship between Islam and politics in the contemporary MENA region.

By studying the most relevant events of North African and Middle eastern history, students will acquire an awarenesss of the origins of currents events in a crucial area of the world and will be enabled to comprehend and critically analyse them.