|
Category: Middle East
Denis Dragovic on Religion & State-Building
What role do religious organizations play in constructing and reconstructing states? Denis Dragovic joins us from Australia to discuss his new book “Religion and Post-Conflict State-Building” and how he not only studied this topic, but also was an active participant in helping people around the world, and primarily the Middle East. Prof. Dragovic explains how religious groups — both international and domestic — help to contribute to the three key areas of state-building: legitimacy, security, and basic needs. Along the way, he also recounts how he helped rescue one of his aid workers who was kidnapped by rebels! Please let others know about our free educational podcast by linking to us on social media! Thanks!! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] John Owen IV on Confronting Political Islam, Historical Lessons
As ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other radical forms of political Islam take center stage in the news and policy circles, can we learn anything about the broad-based movement known as Islamism from the history of Europe? Prof. John Owen IV discusses how the West has dealt with its own radical ideological struggles and the parallels we can draw to the present situation in the Middle East and North Africa. Does a Scottish rebellion in the 1560s have anything worth informing us about the Taliban? Find out! Please mention us to a friend via our social media links on Facebook and Twitter. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Karen Elliott House on Journalism and Saudi Arabia
Pulitzer Prize recipient Karen Elliott House joins us to discuss her career as a diplomatic correspondent in the Middle East for the Wall Street Journal and a number of important changes that are occurring in what many consider to be one of the most stable countries in that turbulent region. After discussing the life of a female reporter covering a male-dominated culture, which has a few surprising benefits, we review Saudi Arabia’s socio-economic landscape and internal tensions that are generating support for reform. Use one of the media links below to tell your friends about our free educational podcast. And please join us on Facebook! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Ani Sarkissian on Politics and Religious Civil Society in Turkey
With Turkey playing a pivotal role in the Middle East, and a country that is often viewed as a model for democracy in the Islamic world, we take a look at this country’s history, politics, and civil society with Prof. Ani Sarkissian of Michigan State University. Are liberalizing reforms that are designed to make it easier to create civic associations having their intended effect? Or is there something to Turkey’s history and political structure that are creating some unintended consequences? Please “like” us on our Facebook Fan Page for frequent updates on topics and guests. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Kevan Harris on Iran’s Islamic Revolution and Green Movement
With Iran in the news recently, we consult with Kevan Harris of Princeton’s Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies on the country’s recent history from its 1979 Islamic Revolution to the stalled Green “Revolution” (or movement) in the past half decade. Prof. Harris explains the process of social mobilization in 1979 and how it differed in 2009, as well as how the Islamic regime consolidated its rule over the past quarter century. Check us out on our Facebook Fan Page for nifty promotional photos! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Adam English on the Real Santa Claus
On Christmas Eve, what better time to explore the life and times of the “real Santa Claus,” St. Nicholas of Myra. Prof. Adam Engish (Campbell University) discusses his new book “The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus.” We learn about the true charitable bishop of Myra and his most famous act of charity, how that became transformed into our modern representation of Santa Claus, and many other details about this extraordinary individual who lived during an important era of Christian history. This podcast also includes a link to a cookie recipe provided by Prof. English. Give the gift of education by telling your family, friends, and colleagues about our free educational service. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Sarah Bond on the Church and Funerals in Late Antiquity
How were the funerals for the dead managed in the period of “late antiquity,” roughly spanning the middle 3rd to late 6th century? Historian Sarah Bond of Marquette University surveys the “disreputable profession” of funeral workers prior to, and after, the Edict of Milan, noting how the change in church-state relations that occurred had a dramatic impact on the this critical industry. In the post-Constantinian era, funeral workers were often used as bodyguards and personal militaries for bishops, and the process of interring bodies opened the door to a great deal of corruption (rent-seeking) within the Church. Check out our Facebook Fan Page for updates. Tell a friend, co-worker, or teacher about our free educational resource. We thank you! [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Ron Hassner on Sacred Spaces & Holy Conflict
Why are conflicts over holy shrines and other sacred spaces so often violent and intractable? Prof. Ron Hassner (UC-Berkeley, political science) offers an intringuing answer that revolves around the nature and various characteristics of sacred ground. Our discussion covers the breakdown of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in 2000, the recent controversy over the “Ground Zero mosque” in New York City and several other examples. This is an encore performance of an interview that aired in the fall of 2010. We will be back with a fresh interview next week. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Alessandra González on Islamic Feminism
Does the term “Islamic Feminism” sound counter-intuitive? Dr. Alessandra González explores how women in Kuwait are finding ways to empower themselves and advocate for their interests in an environment where political Islam (or Islamism) is resurgent. She contrasts notions of Islamic feminism with how feminism is perceived in the West and reveals a number of fascinating insights on gender roles in a Muslim society. Changes in educational opportunities and changing perceptions among younger generations play a role in promoting this movement, as well as the surprising impact of Iraq’s invation of Kuwait in 1990. We also talk about the important role of conforming to traditional community norms and how men might actually be helping facilitate the struggle for women’s rights and empowerment. Subscribe to us for free on iTunes for weekly downloads. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] Matthew Derrick on the Geography of the Umma
The notion of “the umma” — the community of Islamic believers — is often thought to be at odds with modern (post-Westphalian) notions of national territory. Islam, it is said, transcends the geographic boundaries of the nation-state and this may present unique problems for how societies understand and interact with one another. Prof. Matthew Derrick discusses the role of territory in history and how the umma fits into this, taking on scholars such as Samuel Huntington and Bernard Lewis who see a disjuncture between the umma and national territory. Prof. Derrick, a geographer, argues that territory is still important and often trumps transnational religious identity, or is at least a concept that cannot be discarded so easily. Join us on our Facebook Fan Page for interesting tidbits about past, present, and future podcasts. Click the Facebook icon (f) on the right hand column. [ READ THE FULL ARTICLE ] |
 Search The Podcast
To search the podcast, type a term and click the Search button.
 Browse Podcast Categories
Select a category below to browse the podcast:
Connect With Us
    |
