Ata Anzali
Religion and Politics in Iran
RELI 0275Religion and Politics in Iran The Islamic revolution of 1979, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, propelled Iran to the position of the arch-nemesis of the United States in the region. As a result of hostile media coverage, there are many misconceptions that pervade our understanding of post-revolutionary Iranian society. In this course we will try to offer a more nuanced understanding by looking deeper into the history of Iran beginning from the era of the early Islamic conquests. A focus of the course will be examining the intersection of religion, culture, and politics in the early modern, modern, and finally, contemporary Iranian society.
3 reviewsS25Islam in Contemporary Morocco
RELI 1051Islam in Contemporary Morocco In this course, we will first learn about the early history of Islam and its expansion into North Africa and then will move on to discuss the challenge of modernity and the onslaught of colonialism as experienced in the region. This will be followed by a 10-day travel to Morocco. Our goal will be to understand the complexity of the lived experience of Islam in Morocco. To do so, we will focus on a few salient issues such as gender dynamics, varying interpretations of Islam, and ethnic diversity/conflict, and the impact of Islam on contemporary political structure. We will engage with eminent Muslim intellectuals, exchange views with local students, meet with activists from minoritized backgrounds, and visit heritage sites.
1 reviewW25The Islamic Traditions
RELI 0150The Islamic Traditions What is Islam? Is it a religion, a way of life, a civilization, or a political ideology? Was Muhammad a political leader, a warrior, or an ascetic? What is the Qur’an? How did it develop as a sacred text and how does it compare to the Bible? This course is designed to provide a platform for us to explore such questions by focusing on historical, social, and intellectual developments in the wide swath of land known as the Muslim world. Special attention will be given to early developments of the Islamic community as well as the later response of different Muslim communities to modernity.
8 reviewsF24Religion and Politics in Iran
RELI 0275Religion and Politics in Iran The Islamic revolution of 1979, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, propelled Iran to the position of the arch-nemesis of the United States in the region. As a result of hostile media coverage, there are many misconceptions that pervade our understanding of post-revolutionary Iranian society. In this course we will try to offer a more nuanced understanding by looking deeper into the history of Iran beginning from the era of the early Islamic conquests. A focus of the course will be examining the intersection of religion, culture, and politics in the early modern, modern, and finally, contemporary Iranian society.
3 reviewsS23Mystical Tradition of Islam
RELI 0350Sufism: The Mystical Tradition of Islam In this seminar, we will start our adventure in the Sufi world by focusing on the historical and religious contexts in which the mystical tradition of Islam developed during the early Islamic centuries. We will then turn to the so-called classical period focusing on the institutionalization of Sufism, major themes of the classical Sufi literature; fundamental teachings and practices of Sufis; and important figures like Rumi, Ibn Arabi, and Hafez. Finally, we will move to the modern period to discuss the ways in which the Sufi tradition has been re-interpreted, contested, or transformed throughout the Muslim world in response to the challenges of modernity. In all this, our main concern will be to develop an understanding of the mystical perspective that has influenced the outlook of much of the world's diverse Muslim population. Requires familiarity with the Islamic tradition.
0 reviewsS23The Islamic Traditions
RELI 0150The Islamic Traditions What is Islam? Is it a religion, a way of life, a civilization, or a political ideology? Was Muhammad a political leader, a warrior, or an ascetic? What is the Qur’an? How did it develop as a sacred text and how does it compare to the Bible? This course is designed to provide a platform for us to explore such questions by focusing on historical, social, and intellectual developments in the wide swath of land known as the Muslim world. Special attention will be given to early developments of the Islamic community as well as the later response of different Muslim communities to modernity.
8 reviewsF22Reading Islamic Sacred Texts
RELI 0255Reading Islamic Sacred Texts In this course we will read selections from texts considered “sacred” by a variety of Muslim communities. Emphasis will be on in depth and slow reading of the texts and understanding how and why they have come to be held at such high esteem by relevant Muslim communities. Through our discussions about these texts, we will try to re-examine the dominant notions of what constitutes a “religion,” particularly what constitutes “Islam.” Readings will include selections from the Qur’an and the biography of Prophet Muhammad, sayings/biography of Muslim saints and mystical poetry, theological and philosophical treatises, and more.
0 reviewsF22Islam in America
RELI 0252Islam in America In this course we will briefly consider the historical origins of Islam, its development, and essential teachings. Then we will shift our focus to the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the earliest Muslims who set foot on American soil as slaves. We will then examine the fascinating role the African American community played in the spread of Islam during the twentieth century. Finally, we will examine issues of immigration, identity, gender, ethnicity, generational divide, discussing the constantly changing nature of how Islam is imagined in America both by the general public and Muslim Americans.
2 reviewsS22Religion and Politics in Iran
RELI 0275Religion and Politics in Iran The Islamic revolution of 1979, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, propelled Iran to the position of the arch-nemesis of the United States in the region. As a result of hostile media coverage, there are many misconceptions that pervade our understanding of post-revolutionary Iranian society. In this course we will try to offer a more nuanced understanding by looking deeper into the history of Iran beginning from the era of the early Islamic conquests. A focus of the course will be examining the intersection of religion, culture, and politics in the early modern, modern, and finally, contemporary Iranian society.
4 reviewsS22The Islamic Traditions
RELI 0150The Islamic Traditions What is Islam? Is it a religion, a way of life, a civilization, or a political ideology? Was Muhammad a political leader, a warrior, or an ascetic? What is the Qur’an? How did it develop as a sacred text and how does it compare to the Bible? This course is designed to provide a platform for us to explore such questions by focusing on historical, social, and intellectual developments in the wide swath of land known as the Muslim world. Special attention will be given to early developments of the Islamic community as well as the later response of different Muslim communities to modernity.
2 reviewsF21Seminar: Study of Religion
RELI 0400Methods in the Study of Religion How do we think about religion? Is there a common way to talk about religion across cultural divides or should we simply concur that religion is like art, where “We can’t define it, but we know it when we see it? This course will take us through the basic twentieth and twenty-first century theories in the study of religion as “ways of perceiving” this most elusive of phenomena: anthropology, psychology, history, text, politics, philosophy, theology, experience. All of these ways of perceiving religion play a crucial role in the history of the field. We will end by thinking through recent issues in the study of religion–religion and politics, gender and sexuality, comparative and interfaith studies, and the authority of religious identity. Students will be asked to outline a single, compelling case study in religion, and each week they will apply the theorists we read to the details of their case. In applying theories about religion to real-life situations, students will become skillful practitioners of the art of interpreting religion. They will also develop their own approaches to the study of religion and be able to articulate that approach to a wider audience.
0 reviewsF21Islam in America
RELI 0252Islam in America In this course we will briefly consider the historical origins of Islam, its development, and essential teachings. Then we will shift our focus to the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the earliest Muslims who set foot on American soil as slaves. We will then examine the fascinating role the African American community played in the spread of Islam during the twentieth century. Finally, we will examine issues of immigration, identity, gender, ethnicity, generational divide, discussing the constantly changing nature of how Islam is imagined in America both by the general public and Muslim Americans.
0 reviewsS21Mystical Tradition of Islam
RELI 0350Sufism: The Mystical Tradition of Islam In this seminar, we will start our adventure in the Sufi world by focusing on the historical and religious contexts in which the mystical tradition of Islam developed during the early Islamic centuries. We will then turn to the so-called classical period focusing on the institutionalization of Sufism, major themes of the classical Sufi literature; fundamental teachings and practices of Sufis; and important figures like Rumi, Ibn Arabi, and Hafez. Finally, we will move to the modern period to discuss the ways in which the Sufi tradition has been re-interpreted, contested, or transformed throughout the Muslim world in response to the challenges of modernity. In all this, our main concern will be to develop an understanding of the mystical perspective that has influenced the outlook of much of the world's diverse Muslim population. Requires familiarity with the Islamic tradition.
0 reviewsS21Professor Anzali is one of the most engaging and kind-hearted professors at Middlebury. He brings humor and enthusiasm that draws you into all of his classes. He assigns a lot of reading in this course, but it is all informative, and he never expects you to remember every detail. Quizzes are short and fair, assignments are reasonable, and lectures are fascinating. I highly recommend taking this course and/or any others with Prof. Anzali
Professor Anzali is one of the most engaging and kind-hearted professors at Middlebury. He brings humor and enthusiasm that draws you into all of his classes. He assigns a lot of reading in this course, but it is all informative, and he never expects you to remember every detail. Quizzes are short and fair, assignments are reasonable …Read more
Absolutely amazing class—highly recommend. The general structure involved readings and lectures in the first half, then shifted in the second half to primary source readings and more discussion-based classes with less lecturing. The first half was pretty chill, while the second half was more intense since most of the projects and assignments are due then. Professor Ata Anzali is knowledgeable and enthusiastic—I’d 100% take another course with him. The readings were fascinating and covered a wide range of topics including geopolitics, religion, philosophy, ideologies, and more.
Absolutely amazing class—highly recommend. The general structure involved readings and lectures in the first half, then shifted in the second half to primary source readings and more discussion-based classes with less lecturing. The first half was pretty chill, while the second half was more intense since most of the projects and ass …Read more
This class should definitely be on your list—if it ever gets offered again, which I highly doubt. But if by some miracle it is, hey, here’s your review. Professor Anzali is a wonderful human being and easily one of my favorite professors at Middlebury—top two, maybe even number one, sorry Mark Orton. He brings real energy to the classroom, and the course itself was just phenomenal. Obviously, we took a trip to Morocco, which was a top 10 life experience for me. Total immersion—culture, food, people, everything. I mean, need I say more? You’re diving into a topic that doesn’t usually get much attention, yet is incredibly rich in history and complexity. We learned about Morocco’s political structure, the legacy of the French protectorate, and how all of that shaped the very distinct Moroccan Islam that exists today. Incredible course. If they offer it again, and you manage to get in—you’re lucky. No exaggeration: best experience of my life. Period.
This class should definitely be on your list—if it ever gets offered again, which I highly doubt. But if by some miracle it is, hey, here’s your review. Professor Anzali is a wonderful human being and easily one of my favorite professors at Middlebury—top two, maybe even number one, sorry Mark Orton. He brings real energy to the clas …Read more