History 497: Women and Gender in Islam: 3 Credit Hours
History 497: Women and Gender in Islam: 3 Credit Hours
History 497: Women and Gender in Islam: 3 Credit Hours
In this class, we will work to gain a deeper knowledge of Islam as a religion and a
global force through an understanding of how women and gender have shaped the
faith as members, observers, and commentators. We will explore the important role
that concepts of gender and sexuality have played in shaping Islam and in the rise,
spread, and maintenance of Islamic institutions. We will consult Islam’s major texts,
schools of jurisprudence, and works by Islamic scholars in order to understand how
women and gender are understood in Islam. To do so, we will examine case studies
from various parts of the Islamic world, including the Middle East, North Africa,
Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Student Learning Outcome: By the end of this course, you should be able to
demonstrate proficiency in historical bibliographic research by locating sources
appropriate to researching a given historical topic.
ACCESS AND NAVIGATION:
You will need your campus-wide ID (CWID) and password to log into the course. If you
do not know your CWID or have forgotten your password, contact the Center for IT
Excellence (CITE) at 903.468.6000 or helpdesk@tamuc.edu. Personal computer and
internet connection problems do not excuse the requirement to complete all course
work in a timely and satisfactory manner. Each student needs to have a backup
method to deal with these problems. These methods might include the availability of a
backup PC at home or work, the temporary use of a computer at a friend's home, the
local library, office service companies, Starbucks, a TAMUC campus open computer
lab, etc.
Readings:
There is no textbook for this course. I use D2L to post readings, class materials,
and assignment instructions, so please check it regularly. If you foresee issues
with doing so (lack of technology and/or regular internet access), please let me
know immediately so that we can discuss alternative arrangements.
o I reserve the right to make changes to the class schedule and assigned
readings. If I do so, I will notify you ahead of time, either in class or via e-
mail.
o Please check to make sure that you can access the readings on D2L the
day before any scheduled class. If an article or a link is malfunctioning,
get in touch with me immediately. Unless you contact me about an issue
accessing a reading in a timely manner, I will not grant an excuse nor an
extension on work.
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:
Reading – You are expected to read, mull over and jot down notes on the
readings before any scheduled class. We will often begin class with a writing
activity (graded) based on the day’s readings, so doing the reading is essential.
o Please bring your reading to class in hard copy or electronic format so
that we can refer to it. If you take thorough notes, you can bring those.
Participation – Because this course will not be conducted in the traditional
lecture format, class participation is essential not just to your success but to
the success of the class as a whole.
o Participation will have two components:
1. In-class discussions and activities
2. In-class writing activity
o Participation will be graded on a regular basis. See the “grade
breakdown” section for more information.
I encourage you to take notes during class and while reading to prepare for
your in-class essays and the final paper. Writing the final paper and the in-
class essays will be significantly easier if you already have good notes, as many
themes will be recycled and revisited.
Please feel free to raise your hand and ask questions at any point during class.
If I need to table your question and address it later, I will let you know.
This paper must be typed and double-spaced in 12-point font, Word format, ≈2000
words. It will be graded on (1) content, accuracy and aptness of analysis and (2)
quality and accuracy of prose, grammar and style. You must consult academic
literature and provide a properly formatted bibliography.
SCALE:
A = 90%-100%
B = 80%-89%
C = 70%-79%
D = 60%-69%
F = 59% or below
If you anticipate missing any portion of class for reasons beyond your control (e.g.,
court appearance, military duty, scheduled medical appointment), please notify me at
least one day before the scheduled class period. It is in your best interest to let me
know as soon as possible so we can work out an arrangement if one is possible.
Student conduct: All students enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of
common decency and acceptable behavior conducive to a positive learning
environment. The Code of Student Conduct is described in detail in the
Student Guidebook:
http://www.tamuc.edu/Admissions/oneStopShop/undergraduateAdmissions/studen
tGuidebook.aspx Please be cool.
TAMUC attendance policy: For more information about the attendance policy please
visit the Attendance webpage and Procedure 13.99.99.R0.01.
http://www.tamuc.edu/admissions/registrar/generalInformation/attendance.aspx
http://www.tamuc.edu/aboutUs/policiesProceduresStandardsStatements/rulesProce
dures/13students/academic/13.99.99.R0.01.pdf
Grades and grade complaints: I will return all graded assignments to you no later
than a week after they are submitted, but likely much earlier. One day after receiving
any graded assignment, you have the option to make an appointment with me and
discuss your grade. I do not guarantee that I will change your grade, but I would be
happy to hear your case.
http://www.tamuc.edu/aboutUs/policiesProceduresStandardsStatements/rulesProce
dures/13students/undergraduates/13.99.99.R0.03UndergraduateAcademicDishonest
y.pdf
Disability Services: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-
discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons
with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with
disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable
accommodation of their disabilities. If you have a disability requiring an
accommodation, please contact:
http://www.tamuc.edu/aboutUs/policiesProceduresStandardsStatements/rulesProce
dures/34SafetyOfEmployeesAndStudents/34.06.02.R1.pdf
Cellphones and Laptops: The use of a cell phone is strictly forbidden during class,
and if I see you using one, you will immediately lose half of your daily points (25/50). I
will not issue any warnings; I will simply deduct those points. If you experience a
pressing need to use your cell phone, you can either let me know before class or
simply excuse yourself from the class briefly.
Laptops are allowed in class as long as they are completely silent and not disruptive to
your fellow students and I. If an issue arises, I will bring it up with you individually. If
your laptop is found to be excessively disruptive, I reserve the right to revoke your
laptop privileges.
Final Note: I may modify the syllabus during the semester. Any changes will be
announced in advance. It is your responsibility to keep track of these changes once
they are announced.
Week 1
1.1 January 14
Introduction to the course
1.2 January 16
Malise Ruthven, “Women and Family” in Islam: A Very Short Introduction.
Week 2
2.1 January 21
Lila Abu-Lughod, “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? Anthropological Reflections
on Cultural Relativism and Its Others.” American Anthropologist, 140, no. 3
(2002):783-790.
Joan W. Scott, “Gender: A Useful Category of Historical Analysis.” American Historical
Review, 91, no. 5 (1986): 1053-1075.
2.2 January 23
Asma Barlas, Believing Women in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the
Qur'ān (Austin: University of Texas Press, 2002), Ch. 1 pp. 1-28.
Week 3
3.1 January 28
Chase Robinson, “‘A’isha” in Islamic Civilization in Thirty Lives: The First 1,000 Years.
3.2 January 30
Chase Robinson, “Rabi’a al-‘Adawiyya” and “Karima al-Marwaziyya” in Islamic
Civilization in Thirty Lives: The First 1,000 Years.
Week 4
4.1 February 4
In-class Essay #1
4.2 February 6
Chase Robinson, “‘Arib” in Islamic Civilization in Thirty Lives: The First 1,000 Years
Week 5
5.1 February 11
Jonathan P. Berkey, “Women in Medieval Islamic Society” in Women in Medieval
Western European Culture.
5.2 February 13
Leslie Pierce, The Imperial Harem, selections.
Week 6
6.1 February 18
Svetlana Ivanova, “Muslim and Christian Women before the Kadi Court in Eighteenth-
Century Rumeli: Marriage Problems,” in Oriente Moderno 18:1 (1999), 161-176.
6.2 February 20
Madeline C. Zilfi, Women and Slavery in the Late Ottoman Empire: The Design of
Difference, selections.
Week 7
7.1 February 25
Razia Sultanova, From Shamanism to Sufism: Women, Islam and Culture in Central
Asia, selections.
7.2 February 27
Reina Lewis, Rethinking Orientalism, selections.
Malek Alloula, The Colonial Harem, selections.
Week 8
8.1 March 3
In-class Essay #2
8.2 March 5
Beth Baron, Egypt as a Woman: Nationalism, Gender, and Politic, selections.
Week 9
Week 10
10.1 March 17
Lila Abu-Lughod, “Feminist Longings and Postcolonial Conditions” in Remaking
Women: Feminism and Modernity in the Middle East.
10.2 March 19
Deniz Kandiyoti, Women, Islam, and the State, selections.
Week 11
11.1 March 24
Margot Badran, “Between Secular and Islamic Feminism/s: Reflection on the Middle
East and Beyond,” Journal of Middle East Women’s Studies, 1, no. 1 (2005):6-28.
11.2 March 26
Andrea Khalil, Women, Gender, and the Arab Spring, special edition of The Journal of
North African Studies, selections.
Week 12
12.1 March 31
In-class Essay #3
12.2 April 2
Fatima Mernissi, The Veil and the Male Elite and The Forgotten Queens of Islam,
selections.
Week 13
13.1 April 7
Cynthia H. Enloe, The Curious Feminist, Ch. 19 on Iraq and Afghanistan.
13.2 April 9
Jasbir K. Puar, Terrorist Assemblages: Homonationalism in Queer Times, Introduction:
Homonationalism and Biopolitics
Week 14
14.1 April 14
Mehdid, Malika: “A Western Invention of Arab Womanhood: The Oriental Female.”
Nadine Naber, “Arab American Femininities: Beyond Arab Virgin/American(ized)
Whore”
14.2 April 16
Final Paper Presentations
Week 15
15.1 April 21
Final Paper Presentations
15.2 April 23
Final Paper Presentations
Week 16
13.1 April 28
Final Paper Presentations
13.2 April 30
Final Paper Presentations
May 5
Paper workshopping