"What ISIS Really Wants" and the Nature of Islam

To Start:
Grab a white board, and a seat with new neighbors.

In Class:

• Discussing our answers to questions about the article "What ISIS Really Wants"
  • In what two ways is ISIS different than Al-Qaeda and other groups, according to Wood?
  • What does Wood mean when he says that ISIS is "very Islamic?"
  • What does ISIS want, according to Wood?
• Reading a critique of the article, "What the Atlantic Gets Dangerously Wrong..."
  • What is the issue with Wood's article, according to Jenkins?
  • Why are Wood's view dangerous, according to Jenkins?
  • Why is Wood's position demeaning, according to Jenkins?
• Defining the term jihad, and putting passages into context.
• Deconstructing a written debate, over whether Islam is a religion of peace or violence.
  • Handout here.
  • "Islam is a Religion of Peace," by Manal Omar
  • "Islam is a Religion of Violence," by Ayaan Hirsi Ali

To Close:
Make sure you've turned in all of the things we worked on this week, including:

1. "Comparing Debate Models," from Monday
2. "Orientalism, by Edward Said" from Tuesday
3. "Islam, Politics and ISIS" from Wednesday and Thursday
4. "Islam, Peace and Violence" from today, Friday.