City University of Hong Kong

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1 City University of Hong Kong Information on a Gateway Education Course offered by Department of Applied Social Sciences with effect from Semester _A_ in 2012 / 2013 Part I Course Title: Course Code: Course Duration: Islam and the Contemporary World GE2219 One semester Proposed Area: (Please insert 1 for the single primary area, and 2 for the secondary area if applicable. Students will only earn credit units from the primary area.) 2 Arts and Humanities 1 Study of Societies, Social and Business Organisations Science and Technology No. of Credit Units: 3 Level: B2 Medium of Instruction: English Medium of Assessment: English Prerequisites: (Course Code and Title) Nil Precursors: (Course Code and Title) Nil Equivalent Courses: (Course Code and Title) None Exclusive Courses: (Course Code and Title) Nil Part II 1. Abstract Islam is the second largest and the fastest growing faith community in the world. However, Islam may also be the most misunderstood religion in the age of terrorism and it is usually distorted by the media cliché. Engaging students in approaching Islam as a world religion and as a way of life, this course aims to acquaint students with the historical development of Islam, sensitize students the key issues of inter-cultural debates as well as exploring social lives of Muslim communities. By deriving the significance of the Muslim beliefs, cultural practices, theologies and history to the present global age and the local social context, this course challenges students to break away apathy towards global and local affairs, leading them to 1

2 understand that they themselves are the potential peacemakers in the future global multi-ethnic conflicts and multicultural misunderstandings. 2. Course Aims This course aims to 1.1 facilitate the students to identify existing and innovate new perspectives on the transformation of the central tenets, practices and institutions of the Islamic communities in history; 1.2 encourage students to devise their own ways of understanding on how Islamic culture significantly shape various world heritages and human civilization; 1.3 broaden students social horizon in discovering major global affairs and conflicts related to Islam in the international, transnational and local politics; 1.4 develop students sense of cultural sensitivity and creativity in dealing with the cultural customs and growing needs of local ethnic minorities in society; 1.5 analyze critically the stereotypes of Muslim images in the popular culture and media representations. 3. Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: No. CILOs Weighting (if applicable) 1. Identify existing and innovate new perspectives in 25% approaching the major religious tenets, practices and institutions of Islam over centuries. 2. Devise analytical frameworks to explain the dominant 25% factors affecting the regional and global stability that related to Islam in the political sphere. 3. Generate interpretive angles on issues of inter-cultural 25% relations from different perspectives, such as business, technology and science, between Muslim and non-muslim communities in different parts of the work and innovate the strategies of reconciliation. 4. Discover reflectively the contemporary representations of Islam and Muslim communities in the popular culture and the media reports 25% 4. Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs) (designed to facilitate students achievement of the CILOs - Some TLAs may address more than one CILO.) Lecture: 2 hours per week Tutorial and discussion: 1 hour per week Field Visit (if arranged): 3 hours per week Guest lecture (if arranged): 2 hours per week Please be sure to consider how the TLAs align with the desired characteristics of GE courses (c.f. explanatory note 10). TLA CILO No. Hours/week (if applicable) Lectures: The instructor will present the history of Islamic civilization by introducing important religious events, historical controversies and Islamic concepts over the centuries. Weekly short readings will be assigned to consolidate students understanding on a particular topic. 1, 2, 3 2

3 First Hand Field Experience: Students will visit Mosque or related Islamic community outside of class. By visitation, it may be able to experience Islamic rituals, ceremonies or institution, such as observing Friday Muslim prayer and having a Halal meal in the Muslim restaurant. Students will prepare a report to reflect the field-visit experience. Guest Lecture: Imam, prominent leader from the Muslim community or consul-representative of a Muslim-majority nation will be invited to deliver a guest lecture. One essential feature of the guest lecture is to foster direct dialogue between students and Consulate in the question-and-answer session. Group Research & Presentation: Students will form group to design a mini-scale research studying a project, and present their findings, experience and reflection in the class Individual Review: Students will conduct review exercise on a film or a book (e.g. novel) related to Islam and Muslim communities. 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3 3, 4 5. Assessment Tasks/Activities (designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs Some assessment tasks/activities may address more than one CILO.) Type of Assessment Tasks/Activities CILO No. Weighting (if applicable) Participation & Class Discussion assessment CILO % based on the active contribution in the lecture, in-class small group exploration, discussion and writing 1-page reaction paper responding the assigned topic that related to the weekly reading Reflection Report after the first hand CILO 3, 4 30% field-visit to the Muslim religious site as well as direct encounter of Muslim representative in the guest lecture, an individual debriefing report is to reflect your personal experience during the process and discuss important issues on the Muslim community you discovered Group presentation A group project in CILO % researching a topic related to the contemporary topic or debate related to historical, cultural and social phenomenon in the Muslim world. Marks for presentation will reward groups with good cooperation, effective application of the major concepts as well as in-depth reflection on the Muslim world Film or Book Review An individual CILO % reviewing exercise on a specific topic of historical, cultural and social phenomenon Remarks 3

4 happened in Muslim communities. Student can review one appointed film or book (or selected choice agreed by the instructor) 6. Grading of Student Achievement: Refer to Grading of Courses in the Academic Regulations Letter Grade Grade Point Grade Definitions A+ 4.3 Excellent: Very strong evidence of mastery of the developmental path A 4.0 A- 3.7 of Islam in human civilization, debates of cultural politics and contemporary social issues the Muslim world facing, as well as thoughtful reflection of reconciliatory topics in inter-cultural relations, as demonstrated in class participation, field-visit, group presentation, individual review and reflection report B+ 3.3 Good: Evidence of grasp of subject, some evidence of active class B 3.0 B- 2.7 participation, group presentation and field-visit, and critical capacity and analytical ability in individual review and reflection report C+ 2.3 Adequate: Student who is profiting from the university experience; C 2.0 C- 1.7 basic understanding of the subject, as demonstrated in class participation, group presentation and field-visit, but with superficial in individual review and reflection report D 1.0 Marginal: Below satisfactory but only partial mastery of the subject, without little contribution in class participation, group presentation and field-visit, with very superficial in individual review and reflection report F 0.0 Failure: Little evidence of familiarity or serious fallacy in understanding with the subject matter; with poor attendance in class presentation, field-visit and no constructive cooperation in group work. Failure to demonstrate basic understanding in individual review and reflection report Part III Keyword Syllabus: 1. Important dates and concepts in Islamic history and its relevance to the contemporary politics and everyday lives in the Muslim world: Hijra, Fitna, Hajj, Ummah, Ramadan, Eid (Id), Halal, Haram, Jihad, etc. History of Islam Provide a historical outlook of the formative period of Islam since 622 AD. It will cover the significance of the Prophet Muhammad in Islam and 4

5 the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs to the future development of the Muslim community as well as the sectarian divide between Sunni and Shii (Shi a). Normative Foundations - Five foundational acts (or Five Pillars) considered obligatory for all Muslims, including Islamic faith (Shahadah), the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), the alms-giving (Zakat), the fasting during the month Ramadan (Sawm) and the five times prayer a day (Salat). Qur an - Introduce the history of revelation and the social significance of Holy Book in Islam. In the Muslim world, Qur an is believed to be the Word of God revealed through Prophet Muhammad and the Holy Book is understood as the ultimate authority in guiding all spheres of Muslim society as well as individual Muslim. In addition, students will listen to the powerful recitation of Qur an. Ummah: Followed by the introduction of Qur an, the course will introduce students to the transnational imagination of the Muslims as a global community, i.e. Ummah. Through the rapid growth in population, annual ritual of Hajj, the print capitalism and the globalization of technology, students will discuss the significance of the Muslim consciousness in the world. 2. Inter-cultural relations and tensions in which Muslims interacted over time with other Muslims and non-muslims (and other religious traditions) as well as Islam as monotheism (Muslim-Christian & Muslim-Jewish relations within the Abrahamic faiths): Crusade, terrorism, War on Terror, Inter-civilizational understanding and dialogue, conflict resolution. Islamic Revivalism: Engaging students to the struggle of Islamic civilization in the rise of Western modernity by introducing spectrum of Muslim political thought ranging from conservative traditionalists, progressive reformers to the radical Islamists, students will recognize the diverse paths of Islamic civilizations facing the tide of modernization, postmodern challenges and globalization. Islam and the West: By case study of soaring Muslim population in Britain, we ask the following questions: What is the relationship between Islam and the West? Do Islam and the West separate geographically and culturally from each other? This will focus the tension of Islam in the West (From the Rushdie Affairs in 1989, Madrid bombing 2004; Theo Van Gogh s murder in Amsterdam 2004, Paris riot 2005, London bombing 2005; Danish Cartoon controversy 2006; Minaret controversy in Switzerland 2009). Students will then explore the issues of multiculturalism and the global thorny issues of refugees and asylum seekers. Political Islam, 9/11 & War on Terror: Analyze the underlying causes and the impacts of Islamism (Political Islam) in the global scale. Critical appraisal of media stigmatization of so-called Muslim fundamentalism and the new ideology and socio-economic bases on the global network of al-qaeda. Strategy of Reconciliation: Putting various global affairs (e.g. Israel-Palestinian conflicts) into perspective, the course will appeal students the urgent need of inter-civilizational dialogue and challenge them their reconciliatory role in understanding, intervening and transforming the global affairs. 3. Critical debates about the key elements of Islamic institutions and practices in the interdisciplinary frame and the pluralistic developments of the Muslim world: 5

6 veiling (Hijab), Orientalism, building mosque and minaret, Islamic education (Madrasah), Shariah law, legal opinions of Islamic scholar (Fatwah), Islamic banking and finance etc. Daughters of Islam: Students will debate of the status of Muslim women. Contested questions will be discussed: Are Muslim women deprived from human rights and education? Is headscarf (hijab) the sign of oppression? How to explain the emergence of female suicide bombers? Students will rethink and challenge the prevailing media representation of Muslim women by understanding the multiplicities of Muslim countries. Art, Poetry and Music - Iranian cinema as an example, appreciation the aesthetics of Iranian cinema, ranging from Islamic calligraphy to Sufi music. Different from Hollywood, a wave of Iranian cinema will be discussed and selected directors work will be viewed Islam in the East & Islamic Finance - Sensitize students to the strong presence of Muslim population in the East (e.g. Southeast Asia and Central Asia). Case-studies of China s Islam especially the Uyghur-Han conflict in Xinjiang, the situation of Muslim ethnic minorities and the prospect of developing Islamic finance in Hong Kong will be discussed. Islam: Unity in Plurality - Given the richness of Islamic civilization in history and the multiple faces of the Muslim societies in the contemporary world, a concluding remark on the fallacy in representing Islam as a singular entity as well as the fragmentation of religious and political authority in Islamic world will be examined. Tentative Weekly Schedule and Reading List: Week 1 Introduction and Orientation: Why is Islam Important? Overview and Recent Trend of the Muslim world Islam in the Eyes of the West Class discussion of common perceptions towards the Muslim world Reading: Ernst, Carl W. (2003) Islam in the Eyes of the West Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, pp Week 2 Formative History, Revelation of Qur an & Prophecy of Muhammad Migration from Mecca to Medina: Hijra as Inauguration of the Islamic calendar (622 A.D.) Prophet and Statesman: Role of Muhammad in Islam Revelation: Qur an as Holy Scripture Caliphs and Sunni-Shi i Divide (Fitna) Reading: Armstrong, Karen (2000) Islam: A Short History. New York: Modern Library, pp Week 3 Transnational Connections of the Muslim World: Hajj as an example 6

7 Transnational Concept of the Muslim world: Ummah Practices and Festivals of the Muslim world: Hajj and Eid Reading: Mandaville, Peter (2001) Reimagining the Umma? Transnational Muslim Politics: Reimagining the Umma. London: Routledge, pp Week 4 Madrasah Muslim Community in Hong Kong: Visiting Local Mosque and Outdoor visit to the local Muslim community in Hong Kong and invite the Imam of the Mosque in meeting students Student s reflection by comparing of the journalistic reports of global Muslim world and their concrete encounters of the Muslim community in the local context Reading: Gladney, Dru C. Islam in China: Accommodation or Separatism? China Quarterly, Vol. 174, June 2003: Week 5 Political Islam: Causes, Conflict and Resolution Debriefing and group discussion on the visit and first-hand experience in meeting Muslim community last week Intellectual origins, History of global political Islam and Ideology of al-qaeda Reading: Mandaville, Peter (2007) Beyond Islamism Global Political Islam. London: Routledge, pp Week 6 Islam in Media: Critiques of Orientalism Legacy of Edward Said on Orientalism Orientalism in the Western media and Hollywood Students group discussion on the stereotype of Muslim in the media representations Reading: Said, Edward W. (1981) Islam as News Covering Islam: How the Media and the Experts Determine How We See the Rest of the World. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, pp Week 7 Aesthetic Dimensions of Muslim World Mysticism: Sufism as an example Iranian Cinema Students are encouraged to view and write an independent film review on a particular Iranian movie Reading: Sadr, Hamid Reza (2002) Children in Contemporary Iranian Cinema: When we were Children The New Iranian cinema: Politics, Representation and Identity, edited by Richard Tapper, London : I.B. Tauris, pp

8 Week 8 Islam and the West La Convivencia: Jews, Christians and Muslims in the Moorish Spain Crusades: Conflicts and Historical Memory Traces from European Colonialism to Post-9/11 World Order Reading: Haddad, Yvonne Yazbeck (1999) The Globalization of Islam: The Return of Muslims to the West in The Oxford History of Islam, edited by John L. Esposito, New York: Oxford University Press, pp Week 9 Islam, Gender and Fashion Islam and Human Rights Banning of Facial Veils in Europe: Case-studies of France, Holland and Belgium Fashion Trend and Industry in the Muslim world Reading: Esposito, John L. (1998) Women in Islam and Muslim Societies in Islam, Gender, & Social Change. Edited by Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad & John L. Esposito, New York: Oxford University Press, pp. ix-xxvii. Week 10 Debates of Islamic Institutions Education and Muslim world: Madrasah Legal traditions and Judicial system: Shariah Law Group discussion on the applicability and the flexibility of Islamic institutions in various contemporary contexts Reading: Saeed, Abdullah. (2006). Legal Thought Islamic Thought: An Introduction. London: Routledge, pp Week 11 Islamic Banking and Science in Islam Guest lecture on the prospect of developing Islamic finance in Hong Kong Heritage of Islam in the European history of Renaissance Reading: Richardson, Christopher F. (2008) Far Eastern Promise: Can Hong Kong Become an Islamic Finance Hub? Islamic Finance News, Vol. 5, No. 29: Week 12 China and Gulf: Revival of the New Silk-Road Legacy of Zheng He s naval expeditions in the Ming Dynasty Cooperation of Arab world and China Guest lecture Arrangement: Consul-General of a Arab representative in Hong Kong Reading: Simpfendorfer, Ben (2009) The New Silk Road: The Arab World Rediscovers China. The New Silk Road: How a Rising Arab World is Turning Away from the West and Redicovering China. New York: Palgrave, pp

9 Week 13 Concluding Remarks: Islam in Plurality Future development and Plurality of the Muslim world Peacekeeping and Inter-civilization Dialogue Student group presentations Reading: Marranci, Gabriele (2008) Conclusion in The Anthropology of Islam. Oxford: Berg, pp Student Presentations: Week (TBA) Due date of Reflection Paper and Review (2 weeks after Week 13) Recommended Reading: Text(s): Ahmed, Akbar S. (1994) Living Islam: From Samarkand to Stornoway. New York: Facts on File. Arberry, Arthur J. (1998) The Koran Interpreted. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Armstrong, Karen (2000) Islam: A Short History. New York: Modern Library. Bloom, Jonathan and Sheila Blair (2001) Islam: Empire of Faith. London: BBC. Eickelman, Dale F. and James Piscatori (2004) Muslim Politics. New Jersey: Princton University Press. Ernst, Carl W. (2003) Following Muhammad: Rethinking Islam in the Contemporary World. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press. Esposito, John L. (1988) Islam: The Straight Path. New York: Oxford University Press. Esposito, John L. (ed.) (1999) The Oxford History of Islam. New York: Oxford University Press. Lawrence, Bruce B. (2006) The Qu ran: A Biography. London: Atlantic Books. Marranci, Gabriele (2008) The Anthropology of Islam. Oxford: Berg. Nasr, Seyyed Hossein (2003) Islam: Religion, History and Civilization. New York: HarperSanFrancisco. Said, Edward W. (1981) Covering Islam: How the Media and the Experts Determine How We See the Rest of the World. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. Online Resources: Oxford Islamic Studies Online ( 9