Khurram Hussain
207 Carson Street
Philadelphia, PA 19127
(203) 668 8927
Education & Work
PhD., Dept. of Religious Studies, Yale University, 2007-11
Dissertation Title: “Islam as Critique: The Traditional Modernism of Sayyid Ahmad Khan”
Assistant Professor, Department of Religion Studies, Lehigh University, 2012-
Visiting Professor, Department of Religion Studies, Lehigh University, 2011-2012
DoctoralFellow, Center for Global Islamic Studies, Lehigh University, 2009 -11
MA, MPhil.in Religious Studies, Dept. of Religious Studies, Yale University, 2007
Masters of Art in Religion, Yale Divinity School (YDS), 2002-04
AB (with honors) in Religion & Physics, Bowdoin College, 1993-97
Fellowships and Awards
Franz/Class of ’68 Pre-Tenure Fellowship, Lehigh University, 2013-2014
The WAVES award for Male Faculty Ally, The Women’s Center, Lehigh University, 2011
Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship, Center for Global Islamic Studies, Lehigh University, 2009-2011
University Dissertation Fellowship, Yale University, 2008-2009
GSAS Teaching fellowship, Yale University, 2006-2008
McDougal Fellowship, Yale University, 2003-2005
William H. Fog Memorial Scholarship, YDS, 2002-2004
International Merit Scholarship, Bowdoin College, 1993-1997
Selected Publications
“India Forgets the 1971 War and Therefore Judges Pakistan Unfairly,” book chapter in Noah Berladsky (ed.), East Pakistan: Genocide and Persecution (Farmington Hills: Greenhaven Press, 2012)
“Tragedy and History in Reinhold Niebuhr’s Thought,” in The American Journal of Theology and Philosophy, Vol.31, No. 2, May 2010
“Religious Nationalism(s) and the Problem of being Christian in the Palestinian Context,” in KoinoniaXVII (2005)
“A Muslim Revolution in Egypt,” in The Immanent Frame, February 24, 2011,
“To Understand Pakistan, 1947 is the Wrong Lens,” in Outlook, November 9, 2009,
Review for Muslim Identities: An Introduction to Islam, by Aaron Hughes, in Religion (forthcoming 2015)
Review for Debating Islam: Negotiation, Religion, Europe and the Self, by Behloul, Samuel M., Susanne Leunenberger, Andreas Tunger-Zanetti (eds.),in Religion (forthcoming 2015)
Review for Theorizing Islam: Discplinary Deconstruction and Reconstruction, by Aaron Hughes, in Religion (forthcoming 2015)
Conference Presentations and Lectures
“Islam as Critique,” invited to present at Shifting Boundaries: The Study of Islam in the Humanities, April11-12, 2015
“Islamic Environmental Ethics: A Critical Intervention?” presented at MAR-AAR Conference, March7-9, 2014
“A New Variety of Anti-Secularism – The Political Theologies of Anna Hazare and Imran Khan,” presented at MAR-AAR Conference, March7-9, 2014
“Apostasy and Agency: The Dilemmas of Modern Islam,” public lecture presented at Lehigh University,December 1, 2011
“The Meaning and End of Time: Comparing the Historical Thought of Sayyid Ahmad Khan and Reinhold Niebuhr,” public lecture presented at The Center for Global Islam Studies Colloquium, Lehigh University, November 8, 2010
Discussant for “Women in the Arab World,” MunaAbuSulayman at The MacMillan Center Initiative on Religion, Politics and Society Colloquium, Yale University, November 30, 2009
Panelist for “Imagining Religion and the Nation,” at Global Tensions Conference, Lehigh University, October 9, 2009
“Islamization as Modernization in the Language of Reform,” presented at The MacMillan Initiative on Religion, Politics and Society, Yale University, September 28, 2009
Discussant for “The Secular State and the Religious Citizen,” Robert Audi at The MacMillan Center Initiative on Religion, Politics and Society Colloquium, Yale University, April 21, 2009
Discussant for “Rorty on Religion and Politics,” Jeffrey Stout at The MacMillan Center Initiative on Religion, Politics and Society Colloquium, Yale University, Oct 28, 2008
“Federalism, Religion and Community in India and Pakistan,” (NandiniDeo Co-author) presented at The New England Ethics Colloquium, Boston College, Apr 2, 2008
“Religion, Power and the Sacred in the Post-Colonial Indian State,” presented at The Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, San Diego, Nov 17, 2007
“Secularism and other Political Rituals” presented at The Politics of Religion Making, Hofstra University, Oct 4-6, 2007
TeachingExperience
Religion and Violence, Religion Studies, Lehigh University, Spring 2014
This course explores the relationship between religion and violence through an in-depth study of five discrete historical events: the wars of religion in Europe, the Sepoy rebellion in British India, the shinto nationalism of pre-WWII Japan, the rise of the Arab empire in late antiquity, and religious sentiments at play in the American civil war.
The Political Thought of Reinhold Niebuhr, Religion Studies, Lehigh University, Fall 2012
This course focuses on the politica thought of noted 20th century theologian and public intellectual Reinhold Niebuhr. What is the relationship between Niebuhr’s political thought and his theological ideas? What are some of the problems with “utopian” thinking? What is the nature and meaning of human history? And of politics? What does Niebuhr mean by realism and how is this conception distinct from other more mainstream forms of political realism? In what ways are his ideas relevant to the contemporary political situation in both America and the world? We will read only primary texts by Reinhold Niebuhr himself for this course.
Comparative Religious Ethics, Religion Studies, Lehigh University, Spr 2012/2014
Modernity presents those with religious commitments with ethical concerns that are peculiar to this age. Many of these concerns have to do with the institution of the modern nation-state. How have thinkers within the three major Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) handled these concerns? We look comparatively both within and across these traditions.What are the theological, and socio-historical, reasons for the differences or similarities across, and within, these traditions? Is liberal secularism, for example, only possible within a Judeo-Christian milieu? Is Islam inherently incompatible with democracy? How is Christian just war thinking different from, or similar to, the Islamic conception of jihad?
Critics of Modernity, Religion Studies, Lehigh University, Spr 2012
Modernity is a contested concept. In this class, we will look at certain paradigmatic critiques of modernity from some major thinkers of the 20th century. Most of these thinkers decry modernity as an age of destruction. What are the different conceptions of modernity that these authors are contesting? Is there a distinction between ‘modernity’ and ‘western modernity’? Is religion (or particular religions) inherently incompatible with modernity? Can one be both religious and modern? What is the difference between conceiving of public morality in terms of rights as opposed to goods? In what ways are individualism, capitalism and imperialism different facets of the same general social process? How are modern epistemologies different from the pre-modern or traditional forms of knowing? Are these critics all even talking about the same thing?
Rel. Nationalism in Global Perspective, Religion Studies, Lehigh University, Fall 2011, Spr 2013/2015
In the last three decades, there has been a marked rise in the number of social and political movements that explicitly merge their political aims with their religious commitments. This “public religion” takes many different forms, from peaceful participation in democratic politics to violent insurgencies against the status quo. Religious nationalism is one form of such politicized religion. We begin the class with texts on theories of nationalism and secularization, and continue with an investigation of cases of politicized religion from across the globe. The course has a special focus on the challenges faced by Islamic societies in coming to terms with modern institutions and forms of governance. Cases also include the USA, India and catholic Europe.
Modern Islamic Thought, Religion Studies, Lehigh University, Spr 2010/2011, Fall 2012/2014
This course focuses on developments in Islamic thinking that emerge from the modern encounter between Muslim societies and the West. Many Muslim thinkers, in a wide variety of contexts, engaged with the political and ideological challenge represented by the West by attempting to reform traditional Islam. The reforms they advocated touched not only on theological matters but also sought to redefine what it means to be a Muslim and to reconfigure Muslim societies. We look at the work of Sayyid Ahmad Khan, Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, and Muhammad Iqbal, among many others.
Islam in South Asia, Religion Studies, Lehigh University, Fall 2010/2011, Spr 2013
This course is a survey of the dynamic encounter between Islamic and Indic civilizations, and, later, between Islamic South Asia and the West. What does it mean to be a specifically South Asian Muslim? How has South Asian Islam impacted the world of Islam in general in religious, cultural and political terms? What is the future of Islam in South Asia? Popular depictions of Islam in the West have historically presented it as a ‘religion of the desert’, or an Arabian religion. In contemporary times, the identity of Islam with the Arabs has only strengthened since 9/11. The Arabian origins of Islam are obviously important to its historical and theological development. Yet, South Asia has been and continues to be a major center of Islamic thought, and of religious and cultural resources for Islamic life worldwide.The course will therefore also serve to correct this “Arabian bias” by putting the focus squarely on South Asia and its historical and contemporary role in the development of Islam.
Topics in the Philosophy of Religion, Religion Studies, Lehigh University, Fall 2014
This course is a survey of the different varieties of philosophical approaches to the study of religion. We investigate theological issues like re-incarnation, after-life, theism, faith, revelation, etc., using tools from the sstudy of philosophy. We also explore the variety of different trends in the philosophy of religion from Thomism, to American pragmatism to Process Theology and beyond.
Islam in the Modern World, Religion Studies, Lehigh University, Spr 2015
From Morocco to Mecca, from Java to New York City, the modern Muslim world is diverse, dynamic and above all Global. In contemporary mass media images and political discourse, however, Islam is often characterized as monolithic. This course questions this stereotype. Through readings, film and class discussion, we explore the public debates over Islamic authority and authenticity in diverse historical and cultural settings. The class surveys a broad spectrum of voices. The goal is to understand how a broad range of Muslim thinkers – traditional religious scholars, modernist intellectuals, Islamic ideologues and progressive activists – have responded to the changes of the colonial and post-colonial eras (19th -21st centuries).
Religion & Violence, Political Science, Yale University, Summer 2008
Developed and co-taught 6 week summer intensive class with Professor Sharma of the Political Science Dept. We organized the class around six discrete events and explored the relationship between religion and violence through an in-depth historical study of these events. The events included the rise and expansion of the early Arab empire, the development of modern Europe through religious warfare, and the 1857 “Mutiny” of Indian Sepoys against company rule.
Religion, Ethics, and Modern Moral Issues,Religious Studies, Yale University, Spring 2008
(TF) Worked closely with Professor Outka of the Religious Studies Dept. to prepare a syllabus and lead two discussion sections for this Yale College class that focused on contemporary debates such as the relevance of Just War ideas, the problems facing modern multi-cultural societies (like the US, Western Europe & India) and the pros and cons of liberal immigration regimes.
Christian Social Ethics,YDS, Fall 2007
(TF)Led two bi-monthly discussion sections for this masters level seminar with students from Yale Divinity School. I met regularly with Professor Ogletree to discuss and monitor the progress of each student and to develop more effective means of communicating challenging ideas to first time graduate students.
Bioethics, Religion and the Limits of Freedom,Political Science, Yale University, Spring 2007
(TF)Assisted Professor Smith with lecture preparation and presentation, held regular office hours to address student concerns and questions, and graded all papers and discussion responses for this Yale College class on the use of religious reason in the formulation of public policy.
Theological Ethics,YDS, Fall 2006
(TF)Taught advanced masters students in the ethics sub-field at the divinity school on contemporary critical approaches to the study of theological ethics and moral philosophy in the US.
Intro to Women’s Studies and Feminist Thought, Women’s Studies, Yale University, Spring 2003
(TF)Led weekly section discussions, graded exams and papers, and organized student presentations for an introductory level survey class on feminist theory. I also held regular office hours and assisted students with the first drafts of their term papers.
Popular Culture, Media and Identity,Sociology, Yale University, Fall 2002
(TF) Worked with 3 other Teaching Fellows to design a comprehensive discussion section study plan for over 80 students for this intermediate level sociology class about the role of media and globalization on contemporary forms of identity formation.
Professional Service
Muslim Student Association, Lehigh University
Faculty Advisor, 2013-
Center for Global Islamic Studies (CGIS), Lehigh University
Core-Committee Member, 2012-
Humanities Center, Lehigh University
Core-Committee Member, 2012-
Conferences & Colloquia organized:
Islam: The Politics of Reform, A Symposium
Presented by The MacMillan Initiative on Religion, Politics & Society, March 1, 2008
Graduate Workshop for the Study of Religion, Politics & Society
Sponsored by the MacMillan Initiative on Religion, Politics & Society, 2007-2008
Yale Ethics Colloquium
Sponsored by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences & the Religious Studies Dept., 2006-2007
Monthly workshop for advanced graduate students to present their work to the peers and faculty.
Understanding Globalization: Focus on South Asia
Sponsored by PIER International Affairs, YCIAS & the Connecticut Geographic Alliance, July11-16, 2005
Editor, South Asia at Yale
Annual Newsletter of the South Asian Studies Council at the MacMillan Center, Yale University
2005-2006
Professional Affiliations
American Academy of Religion
American Political Science Association
Association for the Sociology of Religion
Middle East Studies Association
Languages
Fluent in Urdu, Hindi & Punjabi.Reading knowledge of German.
References available upon request.
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