The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast two articles on the topic of Islam and the West. Students must read these two papers together in a way that highlights the different conclusions that the reader might draw. Students are required to read the two articles carefully and formulate a critical position on the issue.
The Main Requirement:
In his influential book, The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order, Samuel P. Huntington argues that cultural and religious rivalries have emerged as the biggest threat to world peace and conflict between civilizations, in particular between Islam and the West, will be the latest phase in the evolution of conflict in the modern world. In critiquing Huntington’s argument, two Islamic scholars, Esposito and Voll, offer a historically-based argument for “the dialogue of civilisations” rooted in Islamic tradition.
Compare and contrast the arguments of the two positions and critically analyze the most essential features of their debate.
Articles:
1) Samuel P Huntington, “Introduction: Flags and Cultural Identity” The Clash of Civilizations And the remaking of World Order, (NY: Penguin Books, 1996)
• You can find the text at: http://www.stetson.edu/artsci/political-science/media/clash.pdf
2) Esposito, John and John Voll. 2000. “Islam and the West: Muslim Voices of Dialogue.” Millennium – Journal of International Studies 29 (3): 613-639.
• UofT link: http://resolver.scholarsportal.info/resolve/03058298/v29i0003/613_iatwmvod.
Some useful areas for comparison include asking:
a) What are the authors’ primary arguments?
c) How do they go about making their arguments?
d) What assumptions do they make?
e) What are the strength and weaknesses of their arguments?
d) What conclusions they reach?
e) Have they made a compelling case or not?
f) What conclusions I believe can be drawn from these articles?
g) Do I agree with them or not? If yes, why? If no, why?
**You may only agree with one author, OR disagree with both, OR agree with some components in each argument. It is important for you to carve your position clearly, succinctly and rationally; this means you need to provide reasons for your position vis-à-vis the two articles.
**Remember that while you are not required to agree with both or either article, you are required to take their ideas seriously. If you are going to be critical, be critical of substantial ideas. Do not make the mistake of attacking the authors; instead ensure that you keep any critique focused on their arguments and/or their approaches and not their personality, location, or name.
