|
|
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "RL 220"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Islam"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2015
|
SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Pejman Abdolmohammadi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
|
|
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the religion of Islam. The course deals with a wide variety of aspects of Islam, such as themes of the Qur'an, the apologetics of Islam vis-a-vis other religions, the spread of Islam around the world, mysticism, and Islamic law. A central goal of the course is the enhance the students' understanding of Islam both on its religious sphere and ts political one.
|
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course will examine the Islamic political history, from the emergence of Mohammad in seventh-century Arabia, followed by the Arab Caliphate (Omayya and“ Abbasids), through to the Safawid and Ottoman Empires. Basic concepts such as shari’ah, fiqh, jihad, umma, sunna, shi’a, caliphate, imamate and sultanate are studied, with particular regard to their political role in the Islamic context
A detailed introduction to the religion of Islam, introducing the central beliefs that have united Muslims throughout history, as well as the diversity of sects and communities that see themselves as heirs to Muhammad. The course will discuss the origins of Islam, the evolution of Muslim theology, law, and rituals, and include readings of primary sources, together with relevant secondary literature. Major issues in modern Islamic debate will also receive attention.
|
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students who have successfully completed the course will:
-- have thorough knowledge of Islam through the centuries
-- be able to apply their knowledge and analytical skills to understand the beliefs of Muslims in various communities around the world.
-- be able to express their own critical views on the historical and doctrinal developments in the religion of Islam,
-- have improved their writing skills
-- have improved their critical reading skills
|
TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| An Introduction to Islam | David Waines | Cambridge University Press | 0521429293 | | | | | |
|
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
|
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Class partecipation and discussio | | 25% |
| Paper and Presentation | | 25% |
| Final Exam | | 50% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
The attendance is mandatory.
|
|
|
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
|
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
|
|
|
SCHEDULE
|
|
|
Unit 1 - 19 Jan
An Introduction to History and Politics of Islam
Unit 2 - 21 Jan
An Introduction to History and Politics of Islam
Unit 3 - 26 Jan
The Foundations of Islam
Unit 4 - 28 Jan
Tradition in the making: Community East and West
Unit 5 - 2 Feb
Conflict and Schism
Unit 6 - 4 Feb.
Shiite and Sunni, Imamate and Caliphate
Unit 7 - 9 Feb
The status of religious minorities: "DHIMMIS"
Unit 8 - 11 Feb
Islamic Teaching and Practice
Unit 9 - 16 Feb
The Islamic Schools of Law
Unit 10 - 18 Feb
Faith and Community. The difference between umma and nation
Unit 11 - 23 Feb
The debate between Theologians and Philosophers
Unit 12 - 25 Feb.
The way of the Sufi
Unit 13 - 2 Mar
MIDTERM EXAM (Paper presentation)
Unit 14 - 4 Mar
MIDTERM EXAM (Paper presentation)
Unit 15 - 9 Mar.
Shiite Islam, Ali's Partisans
Unit 16 - 11 Mar
Islam in the modern world: Ibn Battuta's interpretation
Unit 17 - 16 Mar
Ottoman and Persian Empire
Unit 18 - 18 Mar
The Mosque: structure and communal function
Unit 19 - 23 Mar
Islam and modernity: Radicals, Reformists and Modernists
Unit 20 - 25 Mar
Islam and modernity: Radicals, Reformists and Modernists
Unit 21 - 30 Mar
The new secular modern States in Middle East: Ataturk and Reza Shah
Unit 22 - 1 Apr
The Islamic State: various interpretations
Unit 23 - 13 Apr
Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt
Unit 24 - 15 Apr
The case of Iran
Unit 25 - 20 Apr
Global Jihadism and 9/11
Unit 26 - 22 Apr.
The so called Arab Spring and the new middle eastern civil society
Unit 27 - 27 Apr.
The case of ISIS in the Middle East and Europe
Unit 25 - 29 Apr
FINAL EXAM REVIEW SESSION
|
|
|