Dr. Zekeria Salem

Associate Professor

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Biography

Zekeria Ahmed Salem is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Northwestern University, where he also directs the Institute for the Study of Islamic Thought in Africa. He received his PhD from Sciences-Po, Lyon, in 1996. His research primarily focuses on the interplay of Islamic knowledge, social change, and political power in North West Africa. His notable work includes the book 'Prêcher dans le désert: Islam politique et changement social en Mauritanie,' where he explores how individuals and groups of slave descent, known as Haratin, harness newly acquired Islamic knowledge to claim religious authority and challenge political power in Mauritania. Additionally, he is completing a manuscript tentatively titled 'Islamic Knowledge Unbound,' which documents the histories and politics surrounding the transnational careers of West Saharan Islamic scholars. His work emphasizes the global implications of Saharan learning traditions and the increasing attractiveness of desert-bound religious seminaries. Salem's publications have appeared in several respected journals and edited volumes, contributing significantly to the discourse on globalization, Muslim worlds, and Islamic thought in the African context.

Research Interests

Courses

Interdisciplinary African Studies Graduate Seminar Modern Islamic Political Thought POLI-SCI 395: Religion Politics Africa POLI-SCI 359: Politics Africa POLI-SCI 250: Introduction Comparative Politics POLI-SCI 390: Muslim Politics

Requirements for Northwestern University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
U.S. Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume/CV
  • TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

Standard PhD requirements for TGS departments including Chemistry, Physics, and Sociology.