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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "RL 220"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Islam"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2016
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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:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
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. The emphasis will be on Sunni Islamic thought, although the genesis of other Muslim communities will deserve due attention as well. Major issues in modern Islamic debate will also receive attention.
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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.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students who have successfully completed the course will: -- have thorough knowledge of this historical period, especially regarding the growth of Islam and the social and cultural worlds of the Mamluk and Ottoman eras. -- be able to apply their knowledge and analytical skills to understand medieval and modern political and social processes in the Middle East -- be able to express their own critical views on historical developments in Middle East -- have improved their writing skills -- have improved their critical reading skills
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Midterm exam | | 50% |
| Attendance and class discussion | | 20% |
| Reading Reflections | | 30% |
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-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 cours
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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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18 Gen
An Introduction to History and Politics of Islam
20 Gen
An Introduction to History and Politics of Islam
25 Gen
The Foundations of Islam
27 Gen
Tradition in the making: Community East and West
1 Feb
Conflict and Schism
3 Feb
Shiite and Sunni, Imamate and Caliphate
8 Feb
The status of religious minorities: "DHIMMIS"
10 Feb
Islamic Teaching and Practice
15 Feb
The Islamic Schools of Law
17 Feb
Faith and Community. The difference between umma and nation
Unit 11 - 7 Ott
The debate between Theologians and Philosophers
22 Feb
The way of the Sufi
24 Feb
Shiite Islam, Ali's Partisans
29 Feb
Islam in the modern world: Ibn Battuta's interpretation
2 Mar
Ottoman and Persian Empire
7 Mar
Ottoman and Persian Empire
9 Mar
MIDTERM EXAM
14 Mar
The Mosque: structure and communal function
16 Mar
Islam and modernity: Radicals, Reformists and Modernists
21 Mar
Islam and modernity: Radicals, Reformists and Modernists
23 Mar
The new secular modern States in Middle East: Ataturk and Reza Shah
4 Apr
The Islamic State: various interpretations
6 Apr
Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt
11 Apr
The case of Iran
13 Apr
Global Jihadism and 9/11
18 Apr
The so called Arab Spring and the new middle eastern civil society
20 Apr
READING REFLECTIONS PRESENTATIONS IN CLASSES
27 Apr
READING REFLECTIONS PRESENTATIONS IN CLASSES
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