1 RS 216: ISLAM Instructor: Dr. Husein Khimjee Classroom: HH 150 Time: Mondays, 6:00 9:00 pm (with 10 minute break) Office: PAS 1058 Office Hours: Mondays, 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm, by e-mail appointment only Email address to be used for this course: onlyrs216@hotmail.ca No correspondence to the official email address: hkhimjee@uwterloo.ca This is an introductory course to the Islamic Religious Tradition. The course is primarily concerned with the origins and early history of Islam, with an emphasis on the Qur an and early Muslim community. The course will discuss the life and career of Prophet Muhammad, the teachings of the Qur an, the development of Muslim community and its doctrines. Islam s missionary expansion in its earlier period and the Shi`a/Sunni split that occurred in its early history will also be discussed. We will also discuss the development of Islamic theology, philosophy and Sufism as the intellectual expressions of Islam. The objective of the course is to acquaint students with significant aspects of the religious doctrines of Islam formed in its early history; and the role of the Qur an and the Sunnah of the Prophet in the origins and formation of its early history. The historical aspects of this course will also include discussion of the pre-islamic Arabia, commonly referred to as the period of jahiliyya, before the advent of Islam. Each class will include a lecture, followed by a more in-depth explanation from your weekly textbook readings. There will also be video presentations that will provide a more in-depth look at the influence the Qur an had in shaping the Islamic history and its civilization. Students will also be expected to take part in a bi-weekly submission of approximately 2-page reflection paragraphs on suggested topics (based on the topics suggested from the course readings and video/film presentations in the class). In addition to this, students will write a short essay and sit for a midterm quiz. Hand-outs for suggested reflection paragraphs and essay topics will be given to students in the class. There will also be a final examination in this course. Required Textbooks: (Also placed on 1-day reserve at the Dana Porter Library) Karen Armstrong, Muhammad: A Biography of The Prophet; or Muhammad: A Prophet of Our Time (Both are library reserved) Mahmoud M. Ayoub, Islam: Faith and History(Library reserved) Willard G. Oxtoby, World Religions: Western Traditions (Library reserved)
2 Other Supplementary Textbooks you might want to use: (Placed on reserve for you at the Dana Porter Library) Abdulla Yusufali, The Holy Qur an (Library reserved). Reference use. Annemarie Schimmel, Islam: An Introduction (Library reserved) Barbara Stowasser, Status of Women: Traditions and Interpretations (Library reserved) Irfan Faqih, Glimpses of Islamic History (Library reserved) Lings, Martin, Muhammad: His Life Based on Early Sources (Library reserved) S.H. M. Jafri, The Origin and Development of Shia Islam (Downloadable from internet) Note: Some sections from the above textbooks may also fall under required readings Video/film presentations: Titles include, The Five Daily Prayers in Islam, The Middle East and Islam: Empire of Faith. Grading: 10% Attendance and participation 10% Four bi-weekly (max. two page) online submissions of Reflection paragraphs 20% In-class mid-term test on October 31/2011 20% Mid-term short essay: Due by November 07/2011 40% Final Examination during University arranged exam period. Week 1 September 12 Lectures and Readings An outline of our approach to this course will be discussed. We will also discuss the terms Islam, Iman, Muslim, Mu min, Qur an, Tafsir, the basic beliefs in Islam and Islam as a major religion in context of other religions. Ayoub, Islam: Faith and History, pp.51-69. Oxtoby, The Five Pillars in World Religions: Western Traditions, pp.360-368. Week 2 September 19 Origins, Founders and Leaders. The Biography of Prophet Muhammad covering period 570-622 C.E. Armstrong, Muhammad: A Biography of The Prophet. pp. 21-107. Supplemantary readings: Ayoub,pp.1-29 Lings, Muhammad, pp.1-40 Reflection Paragraph 1 is due. Maximum 2 pages and should be submitted in class.
3 Week 3 September 26 The Biography of Prophet Muhammad covering period 622-632 C.E. Armstrong, Muhammad, pp. 134-266. Lings, Muhammad, pp. 123-345 Oxtoby, pp.344-354 Week 4 through to Week 6 (October 3 to October 24 - No class on Oct. 10) Succession and Expansion. Ayoub, pp. 70-90 Faqih, pp.69-132;136-157. Oxtoby, pp. 368-375. Schimmel, pp. 19-72 Reflection Paragraph 2 is due Week 4. Maximum 2 pages. Submit online Week 7 October 31 The Shi`a split Jafri, pp. 1-97 Oxtoby, 378-383 Ayoub, pp.91-108 (MID-TERM EXAM TODAY) Week 8 November 07 The Status of the Qur an Ayoub, pp.30-50 Oxtoby, pp. 354-360. (ESSAY DUE TODAY)
4 Week 09 and Week 10 - November 14 and November 21 Islamic Law, Theology, Philosophy and Sufism Ayoub, 109-176. Oxtoby, pp.383-416. Schimmel, pp. 101-120 Reflection Paragraph 3 is due. Maximum 2 pages. Submit online. Week 11 November 28 Status of women in the Qur an and the Sunnah Ayoub, pp.177-196 Freyer, pp.3-24; 119-134. Reflection Paragraph 4 is due. Maximum 2 pages. Submit online. Week 12 December 05 Revival and Reform. Ayoub, pp.197-218. Schimmel, pp. 127-144. During the final week of the course, we will also do the final review and discuss the exam format. Late Assignments: Essays and other assignments must be handed on the stated deadline Students who will consult with me in advance regarding contingencies preventing the timely completion of an essay may be granted a maximum extension of 7 days. Proof of why extension should be granted will be required. Essays will not be accepted if not submitted within the given extension period. Late assignments will be subjected to a penalty of 2% per day.
5 Note on avoidance of academic offences: All students registered in courses offered by The Faculty of Arts are expected to know what constitutes an academic offence, to avoid committing academic offences, and to take responsibility for their academic actions. When the commission of an offence is established, disciplinary penalties will be imposed in accordance with Policy #71 (Student Academic Discipline). Fr information on categories of offences and types of penalties, students are directed to consult summary of policy #71 (Student Academic Discipline), which is supplied in the undergraduate calendar (p. 1:11). If you need help learning how to avoid offences such as plagiarism, cheating, and double submission, or if you need clarification of aspects of disciplinary policy, ask your professor for guidance. Other resources regarding the discipline policy are your academic advisor and the Undergraduate Associate Dean. Please see the following website for further information. http://www.arts.uwterloo.ca/~sager/plagiarism Note: Undergraduate Calendar, p.1:11 is also available at http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infoucal/uw//policy_71.html