Module: HIS6104-20 Muslim Migration and Islam in Europe in a Historical Perspective

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Dr Sarah Hackett

Module Tutor Contact Details: s.hackett@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This is an optional module for students interested in the study of Muslims and Islam in post-1945 Western Europe in historical perspective. It addresses the historical foundations of some of Europe's key Muslim migrant communities, including South Asian Muslims, Moroccan Muslims and Turkish Muslims in Britain, Spain and Germany respectively. It explores some of the key debates and themes that have dominated academic, political and popular discourse regarding Muslims and Islam in post-war Europe, including levels of integration and assimilation, the building of mosques, Islamic terrorism, the French headscarf affair, the Danish cartoon scandal, the Rushdie Affair, racism and Islamophobia, multiculturalism and social cohesion, and the so-called "refugee crisis". The module encourages students to situate recent and on-going debates and developments within a much-needed, and often overlooked, historical context. Amongst other things, it touches upon medieval Moorish Iberia, the Crusades, colonialism and empire, Muslim migration to Britain and France during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Dutch pillarisation system, and the short-sighted approach to the post-war guest-worker recruitment system. In doing so, it makes use of a wide range of both primary and secondary sources, including documentary films, speeches, newspaper articles, oral history interviews, and official government reports.

2.Outline Syllabus

The module will explore a range of countries, themes and topics, including:

• Muslims in Europe at the turn of the twentieth century

• Muslims in post-1945 Europe: the arrival of new communities

• Islam in Britain: multicultural politics, social cohesion & Islamophobia

• Islam in France: assimilation, laïcité & the hijab

• Islam in Germany: from guest-workers into Muslims

• Islam in the Netherlands: political & social developments

• Islam in Spain: historical legacy & minority construction

• Islam in Italy: integration, the Lega Nord & the mosque debate

• Islam in Denmark: liberalism, nationalism and cartoons

• Muslims in Europe: where are we now?

3.Teaching and learning activities

Seminars, workshops and one-to-one supervision.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Timed critical analysis (2,000 words)

• % Weighting: 40

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Research Project (3,000 words)

• % Weighting: 60