Why have Islamic movements become so powerful in the last 30 years? What are their real political goals? Is political Islam a rejection of modernity, a reaction to Western culture, or an ideology aimed at specific political objectives? Does the rise of political Islam herald an inevitable "clash of civilizations" with the West, or can Islam and the West peacefully co-exist? Questions such as these have become increasingly urgent since September 11. This course will examine the emergence, development, and substantive content of Islamist political movements in the twentieth century. The tutorial focuses upon the emergence of Islamist movements within distinctive political, economic, social and cultural conditions in the Middle East. It will juxtapose analytical readings on specific states or aspects of the Islamic trend with the writings of Islamists and other primary sources. We will look both at Islamist movements active in single states, the wider phenomenon of transnational Islamist politics, and the theoretical and philosophical issues raised by the rise of Islamist movements, to consider both similarities and diversity in Islamic politics. The object of the course is to understand Islamist movements on their own terms, and to be able to make informed judgements about the future of international politics. Format: tutorial. Requirements: biweekly papers and oral presentations. No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 10 (expected: 10). This course is writing intensive. International Relations Subfield