Course Description
Islamic modernism and revivalism as a response to Western cultural penetration since the eighteenth century. Subjects covered will include Sufi reformism, Wahhabism, the Salafiyya movement, Islamic "Fundamentalism," the Iranian Revolution, women's rights, and Western perceptions of Islam.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional readings and a research paper along with more extensive examinations to reflect the additional responsibilities.
Athena Title
ISLAM/MODERN WORLD
Prerequisite
Junior or senior standing or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered every odd-numbered year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1) To learn a methodology for the scholarly study of religion and apply it a) most importantly to the study of Islamic beliefs in the modern world, and b) to a lesser extent to the study of your own beliefs (for the sake of better understanding conflicts between Islam and the West); and 2) To gain a broad knowledge of the major issues, regions, important historical movements, and religio-cultural dimensions of Islam in the Modern world. Communicate Effectively through Writing To strengthen skills in written composition, analysis, and presentation by means of projects such as essays, papers, reports, and 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
Everlast, Bias, Intro to Islam; Intro to Religiology: An analytical framework for the study of Islamic literature. Brief overview of the major terms, concepts, and historical periods of Islam. Understanding Islam and the Muslims; Islam, Fundamental Questions and Answers; Religiology, an overview; History of Islam; Religiology, its rationale, and Religiology of Modernity and Islam; Religiology of Modernity and Islam; Modern Muslim Movements; Contemporary Islam; Ben Ladin; Women; Central Asia and Caucasus; Afghanistan and Taliban; Southeast Asia; Bosnia; Islam and Other Religions, espcially Judaism and Christianity; Christian View of Islam; Sub-Saharan Africa; South Asia; African American Islam; American Islam; Sufism; Music and Dance; Art; Islamic Pluralism