Dr. Alexander I. Orwin

Assistant Professor

Ph.D: University of Chicago
Office: 230 Stubbs Hall
Phone: (225) 578-2141
Fax: (225) 578-2540
Email: aorwin1@lsu.edu 

 

Curriculum Vitae

Area of Interest

Alexander Orwin studies medieval Islamic political philosophy, and compares it with various other traditions, including the classical political philosophy that inspired it, as well as modern European and Islamic philosophy. He is currently working on a wide-ranging project examining the use of Plato's Republic in Islamic philosophy.

Selected Publications

Orwin, Alexander, editor. Plato's Republic in the Islamic Context: New Perspectives on Averroe's Commentary. University of Rochester Press, 2022.

Orwin, Alexander. 2021. "Submission to Peace, and Polygamy: Should the French Acquiesce to Houellebecq's Dream of New Islam?" In Michael S. Kochin, and Alberto Spektorowski, eds. Michel Houellebecq, the Cassandra of Freedom: Submission and Decline. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill.

Orwin, Alexander. 2021. "Jihād for the City: How Alfarabi Discourages, and Encourages, Death in Battle." In Erin Dolgoy, Kimberly Hurd, and Bruce Peabody, eds. Political Theory on Death and Dying. Routledge Press.

Orwin, Alexander. 2021. "Democracy in Muslim Spain: Averroe's Domestic Account of Popular Rule." In Patrick N. Cain, Stephen P. Sims, and Stephen A. Block, eds. Democracy and the History of Political Thought. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books.

Courses

POLI 2060 Introduction to Political Theory
POLI 4081 History of Political Theory from Plato to More
POLI 4082 History of Political Theory from Machiavelli to Nietzsche
POLI 4090 ST: Political Theory/Comparing the Bible and Quran
POLI 4234 Studies in Literature and Politics/Three Great American Novels on Race
POLI 7990 Political Theory: Interpretation and Analysis
POLI 7991 ST: Political Theory

About

Professor Alexander Orwin (Ph.D., University of Chicago, 2015) studies Islamic political philosophy in the context of the broader history of political thought. He is currently working on an extensive book project examining the use of Plato's Republic in Islamic political philosophy. His teaching encompasses a wide variety of books, including philosophy, literature, and scripture. He aims to provide fair and disciplined classroom leadership that pushes students in the effort needed to appreciate and enjoy the world's greatest books.