An introduction to contemporary Arab and Islamic thought which concerns itself with democracy and/or transition to democracy. The course will include a historical narrative which begins with Arab democratic thought in the Arab Renaissance period, and covers the inter-war years, Nasserism, and contemporary discussions (which have been taking since the 70s of the past century).To be dealt with in this historical narrative are: concepts of democracy in relation to Arab society’s political, economic, and social needs; intellectual background of contemporary social and political movements which strive for democracy; the pressing issues of democracy and human rights such as freedom, rights, political and intellectual pluralism; secularism; cultural specificity—all to be discussed in connection with modern Western scientific and intellectual heritage, as well as modern Arab and Islamic reform movements.