Shi'ites, Sunnis Christians

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Scan the headlines in world news today, and one can see ample evidence of "sectarianism." Consider, for example, recent incidents of Sunni extremists blowing up Shi‘ite mosques in Afghanistan, while in Ireland, memory of Protestant-Catholic sectarian divides linger. But what exactly do we mean by ‘sectarianism’? This class will consider these questions, and it will ask how denominational or sectarian allegiances influence or change the way we think about ‘other’ faiths. We will also consider sectarianism across time and space, examining both medieval and modern encounters, as well as examples of sectarianism in different parts of the globe. This course is inter-disciplinary in nature. We will begin by briefly looking at examples of Christian and Islamic sectarianism in the news. We will then consider recent analysis of sectarianism in Syria (a flashpoint of current discussion on sectarianism), and then ground it in social scientific reflection concerning the term ‘sectarianism’. Following this, we will read relevant primary and secondary texts that bear on sectarianism in Christianity and Islam, consider the main discussion points of Muslim-Christian dialogue and relations, and (near the end of the course) consider examples of how sectarianism affects Muslim-Christian dialogue and relations. During the last few classes of the semester, students will have the opportunity to explore other examples of sectarianism in Christianity and Islam through a series of student presentations.