Discuss and critically examine what you think are the most compelling and important critiques of modernity from a traditional Islamic perspective.

Assignment Question

Essay question: When discussing the relationship between Islam and modernity, the Western assumption is often that Islam needs to adapt itself to the new moral and ethical norms of modernity. However, Wael Hallaq’s book, The Impossible State, and the articles related to Islam’s approach to the environmental ethics (Ozdemir, Gade), suggest that Islamic ethical and moral norms can be a basis from which to evaluate and critique some of the “blind spots” and problems with modern institutions (the state, the globalized economy, the approach to nature). On the basis of these readings, discuss and critically examine what you think are the most compelling and important critiques of modernity from a traditional Islamic perspective. Content requirements for the essays

• The introductory paragraph should offer a clear preview of how you will respond to the question.

• The body of the essay should then present a series of arguments to support your response to the assigned question. These arguments should be based on your own analysis of the material in the reading.

• The essay question must be answered exclusively on the basis of the assigned reading for this course.

• The essay must demonstrate that you have read the assigned material thoroughly and thoughtfully.

• Grading: 50 points: demonstration of understanding of readings, thoughtful engagement with readings, use of ideas from the readings in the essay (substantially engaging all of the readings is required for full credit). 50 points: clarity and effectiveness of argument and presentation. Form requirements for the essay • 1200-1500 words • WORD format; double-spaced

• all citations should be from the readings, and for either direct quotes or indirect references one can simply cite the readings as in the following examples (Hallaq, p. 187). No works cited page or bibliography is required.

• direct quotes from the readings should be kept to a minimum and should be used only in order to present an analysis of the passage. The student should never quote from the text something that can be paraphrased in the student’s own words.

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