ATS1355: Fanatics and Fundamentalists: The Global Politics of Violence

500 word essay - 10%

2000 word mid-semester exam - 40%

2500 research essay - 50%

This unit is full of thought-provoking and dense readings on religion and theology (Nietzsche, Freud, Aquinas, Maududi), terrorism, violence and global politics. So if you're interested in doing a bludge unit and have no interest in religion, terrorism, violence or politics whatsoever, then this unit probably isn't for you.

Dr Irfan Ahmad was extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter and made the dense readings crystal clear. His lectures were very interesting and engaging at the same time. He also invited a guest lecturer almost every week for the second half of the lecture (this helped keep things fresh in my opinion). The tutorials (Dr Irfan Ahmad was my tutor as well) were also lively and full of interesting discussion, which is more than I can say for other arts units I've completed at Monash. Overall, the unit was taught extremely effectively and was well organised.
Even though it was one of the more dense first-year arts units I've completed, it was also one of the most rewarding! Your perception about global terrorism, violence and certain religions (such as Islam) will no doubt change by the end of the unit! I would highly recommend this unit for those seeking to complete a politics major at Monash

Dr Irfan Ahmad, various guest lecturers

Exam questions are posted on moodle one week prior to exam.

5 Out of 5

Yes

Unit instructor will recommend you to buy 'Terror In The Mind of God' by Mark Juergensmeyer and 'God Is Not One' by Stephen Prothero - the former is more useful than the latter.

1 x 2 hour lecture, 1 x 1 hour tutorial

2013, Semester 1.

HD