Course Description
Historical, thematic study of the Islamic sacred text, the Koran, including textual history, its compilation, and the stages that led to its printed form. There will also be an introduction to basic technical terms of the Koranic sciences, Koranic hermeneutics, and Arabic script and phonology.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Acquire facility with a voweled Arabic text. Memorize three short exerpts from the Koran. Additional required readings and a research paper.
Athena Title
KORAN
Prerequisite
Junior standing or permission of department
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce students to an in-depth understanding of the essential themes of the Koran. This differs from an introductory course to Islam as well as "Islam in the Caliphal Age" in that it concentrates on the text of the Koran itself and the major themes developed therein. It deals as well with the history of the text itself and its development. Communicate Effectively through Writing To strengthen skills in written composition, analysis, and presentation by means of projects such as essays, papers, reports, and examinations. Communicate Effectively through Speech To strengthen skills in oral expression, analysis, style, and interaction by means such as class reports, class discussion, and oral examinations. Computer Literacy To enhance and facilitate computer literacy by the use of word processing, the web, email, and OASIS through research, preparation, and presentation of work such as oral class reports and completion of written assignments. Critical Thinking To foster critical thinking by engaging in activities such as classroom discussion and debate, essay examinations, and oral presentations. Moral Reasoning (Ethics) To assist in the continued development of moral and ethical reasoning and reflection by encouraging creative thinking regarding individual and community concerns and needs, the challenging of prejudices and stereotypes, and examining rational and ethical bases of constructive social interactions.
Topical Outline
I. Introduction: a. The Koran - linquistically b. Textual history c. Technical terms of the text II. Themes: a. Epistemology b. Ontology c. Anthropology d. Teleology e. Methodology III. Hermeneutics a. Early schools of commentary 1. Mekka 2. Madina b. Later schools of commentary 1. Rationalist commentaries 2. Compilations 3. Sufi commentaries c. Modern schools of commentary 1. Political commentary - The Islamic Brotherhood of Egypt 2. Scientific commentary d. The Koran in translation
Syllabus