RELS 252 Islam and Capitalism
Islam and capitalism are often viewed as two systems belonging to separate spheres of religious and economic life, yet in this course we will explore their historical, conceptual, and material entanglements. We will examine how interactions between Islamic law and commerce shaped Muslim societies during watershed moments in the history of capitalism, including the rise of trade networks in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean; the birth of the joint-stock company and the corporation; colonialism and industrialization; and most recently, the ascendancy of neoliberal financial capitalism. In addition to developing a broad understanding of the economic history of Muslim societies from West Africa to Southeast Asia, students will ask analytical questions like: Are religion and economics mutually exclusive or overlapping domains of life? In what ways is a commitment to capitalism and a faith in free markets akin to religious beliefs? Has religion contributed to the great economic divergence between Euro-American and Muslim societies? Can modern Islamic experiments in global finance inspire efforts to combat racial capitalism and climate change?
Credits
On average, you should expect to spend at least twelve (12) hours a week (including in-class time) on this course.