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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Constitutional Struggles in the Muslim World by University of Copenhagen

4.8
stars
716 ratings

About the Course

Learn what motivates the restive Muslim youth from Tunis to Tehran, what political positions Islamists from Mali to Chechnya are fighting for, where the seeming obsession with Islamic law comes from, where the secularists have vanished to, and whether it makes sense to speak of an Islamic state. Since 2009 there has been a renewed wave of popular unrest sweeping throughout much of the Muslim world. Secular, but generally repressive and inefficient autocracies have come under pressure or been swept aside entirely. At the same, the various Islamic Republics have not fared much better, but been convulsed by internal unrest, economic and social decline. Throughout the Muslim lands, existing constitutional arrangements are being challenged, often very violently. This course is a survey of the constitutional ideas and institutions that have developed since the mid 19th century throughout predominantly Muslim countries, but its focus will lie on the actors that have dominated this discourse and shaped its outcomes. We will look at the large body of classical writings on the Islamic state only in so far as it is necessary to understand the contemporary debate, but concentrate on the legal and political developments of the 20th and 21st centuries. Three common themes will characterise the course:  We privilege the study of the legal and social reality and seek to highlight where it is at odds with dogmatic stipulations, be they religious or constitutional.  We seek to illustrate the practical tensions posed by limited administrative capabilities and political legitimacy that resulted from the incomplete reception of modern bureaucratic statehood.  We seek to examine how popular dissatisfaction with the practical performance of Muslim governments has fuelled demands for greater accountability under the guise of cultural authenticity.  Ultimately, the course aims to equip participants to better understand Muslim contemporary discourse about the res publica, better contextualise the demands for religious law in public life, and to better ascertain the theoretical and practical feasibility of postulated religious alternatives to the still-dominant secular model of governance....

Top reviews

NP

Dec 27, 2015

The course was good. But the real situation has been changing drastically. A supplement or extension of course is required to cover the up to date situation about IS activities, syria Iraq etc.

OD

Dec 2, 2015

This is most interesting course where I truly learn a lot and get new insights. Prof. Afsah is a wonderful teacher, I do enjoy every minute of this course!

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151 - 175 of 228 Reviews for Constitutional Struggles in the Muslim World

By Dr. V P M

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Nov 26, 2015

Great course to understand the basics with in depth analysis of the Muslim world.

By Domenico M

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Dec 14, 2016

Great overview on Muslim countries, between law, society and political change.

By Dana D

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Jan 27, 2020

Excellent course. i am enjoying it tremendously! I loved using the app too.

By JUDITH R M

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Apr 16, 2025

Excelente curso, y maestro muy agradecida por compartir sus conocimientos.

By Hasib Q

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Jan 19, 2025

I am so glad to have taken this course. Thank you, Prof. Ebrahim and team.

By Miraz C

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Jan 4, 2016

It was one of the greatest three months i have eve experienced. Thank you.

By Dr. M M

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Mar 7, 2025

From years I am unable to get a certificate despite competing full course

By Abdul M

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Nov 5, 2015

Its wonderful course but if financial aid is given for the needy students

By Daniel F L G

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Jun 29, 2016

This is great. I lament can not take advantage completely of the course

By arunoday g

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Jun 8, 2016

Outstanding course and unique way of teaching such a complex subject!

By Julia A K

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Apr 11, 2016

Very well designed and presented, useful, interesting and informative

By Ebbe S

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Nov 30, 2017

A very interesting and inspiring course that I can recommend warmly.

By Stavros A

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Oct 17, 2015

Very nice course. Thank you Proffesor and Univeristy of Copenhagen!

By bokyeong k

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Jan 1, 2016

Nice! Hope to understand international conflicts concerning Muslim

By Ahmer J K

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Feb 8, 2017

Excellent, holistic and engaging course! Loved every part of it!

By Muhammad M

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Nov 15, 2025

Course was well structured and the professor was OG. i love it

By Ketevan K

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Apr 21, 2017

I think it was best Course I ever took in online platforms.

By Иванова Е Д

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Dec 21, 2016

Wonderful! Interesting tasks, useful and new materials ^_^

By NANCY A V

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Nov 30, 2025

Es un curso muy completo. Vale mucho la pena realizarlo.

By Erman I C N

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May 2, 2019

Complete and excelent course... I recommended fully

By chantelle

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Jan 7, 2016

Really Informative . Thanks for the knowledge :)

By Cem S

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Apr 25, 2018

Very comprehensive, and well structured course.

By Nazmul H T

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Dec 25, 2016

Very smart and informative Comprehensive course

By J L

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Jul 11, 2017

Congrats. It's really interesting. Many thanks

By Cesar M

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Jun 22, 2017

Excelente y amplia mirada del mundo musulmán.