GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LIBERAL STUDIES PROGRAM ISLAM: AN INTRODUCTION BLHV 260-01 Three Credits Spring Semester, 2016 Mondays, January 13 May 2, 5:20 7:50 pm, 640 Mass Ave Campus Room * ### Note: First class is Wednesday, January 13, 2016. Joseph E. Jensen, PhD jej3@georgetown.edu Office hours: by appointment Mondays before class. Other times by appointment. Use e-mail to make appointment or to contact me. I will respond to all e-mails within thirty-six hours. Learning Goals and Outcomes: Islam: An Introduction offers an overview of one of the world s largest and most profound religious traditions. The content includes the background, origins, and history and evolution of the Islamic Faith. The focus will include the scriptures of Islam, its doctrines and teachings, rituals, and varieties and structures as they developed from Muhammad s time down to the ways this faith is practiced today in Islamic nations, and in other countries as well. Careful attention is given to readings from the Qur an, the Hadith, as well as to controversies and misconceptions regarding Jihad, Shari a, women and family, and relations with other faiths. No prior knowledge of Islam is presumed. Through class participation, discussion and written assignments students will: - acquire an understanding of the political, economic, cultural and religious world into which Muhammad was born and the Religion of Islam took shape. - become familiar with the key events in the life of Muhammad, the sources and influences upon personality, his religious thinking, and his religious practices, and his religious experiences. - be able to discuss place of the Qur an in Islam as the product of direct and specific divine revelation, especially as distinct from Christian concepts of divine inspiration. - reflect upon the process by which Islam evolved into an institutional religion in the years following Muhammad s death, and the early issues and controversies that led to factions within Islam that remain to this day. - be able to articulate the fundamental doctrines and teachings of the Islamic faith, especially with respect to the Divine Will, the Law, Justice, and the Last Things. - acquire an appreciation for the significant contributions of Islam especially in the realms of science, philosophy, and literature, and their influences upon Western civilization. - be able to articulate and discuss alternate historical interpretations of events such as the rapid military successes of Islam, the Crusades, the Mogul and Ottoman empires, and the effects and consequences of Western colonial expansion and control.
- become familiar with the variety and diversity of rituals, customs, and practices that characterize the practice of Islam today, as reflected in the different Islamic sects, and in the various countries and cultures where Islam is practiced today. - gain an appreciation for the contemporary Islamic worldview(s) as background for understanding the quests within Islam regarding the place and role of democracy and what should constitute a modern Moslem State. In keeping with the goals and themes of the Liberal Studies program, students will reflect upon and articulate how Islam past and present contributes to and shapes our understandings of relationships between the human and the divine, the individual and society, and identity and diversity Texts: Karen Armstrong. Islam: A Short History. Revised and Updated. Modern Library. 2002. ISBN 978-0-8129-6618-3. Required Reza Aslan. No God but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam. Random House. 2011. ISBN 978-0-8129-8244-2. Required David Waines. An Introduction to Islam. Cambridge University Press. 2d ed. 2003. ISBN 978-0- 748-79186-6. Required Jane Dammen McAuliffe (ed.). Islam. [The Norton Anthology of World Religions. Jack Miles, General Editor.]W. W. Norton. 2015. Required. The Qur an. A New Translation. Muhammad Abdel Haleem. Oxford World s Classics. OUP 2008. ISBN 978-0-19-953595-8. Considered by scholars the best English translation today. Recommended. But can be read and checked free on line: https://archive.org/stream/thequrankoranenglishebook-abdelhaleem- BestTranslationInThe/the_QURAN-abdel-haleem-ebook-english_djvu.txt Class Requirements (details given under specific classes below): 1. a weekly 2-3 page academic essay that reflects upon the assigned readings to be submitted throughout the course (35 % of grade) 2. two 5-6 page academic essays related to assigned topics. (30 % of grade [each 15%]) 3. One ten to twelve page research paper on a student selected but approved topic or question related to course content. (25% of grade) 4. class attendance and participation (10% of grade). Attendance is essential. This is a 3 credit course that meets once a week. Missing a single class is the equivalent of missing three classes in a more traditional class. In accord with BALS policy students with two or more absences, excused or unexcused, may receive a failing grade for the course. On the occasion of a second absence the student s name will be forwarded to the Associate Dean. Classes will begin and end on time. Students are expected to be present for the entire class. Arriving late is disruptive to the instructor and the class. Repeated late arrival will be counted as an absence. If you know or anticipate that you are likely to be late for class or to need to leave early on a regular basis for any reason do not take this class at this time.
Effort. This is a content intensive course. Students should expect to spend on average 300 minutes [5 hours] each week in reading, preparing assignments, and writing essays and papers for this course. Keeping up with the readings and written assignments is essential. There are no tests and no final exam for this course. Evaluation of student performance is based on attendance, preparation reflected in active class participation, and the quality of the weekly essays and of the three larger writing assignments. Weekly essays. As part of the preparation for each class after the first class, each student will prepare an academic essay that reflects upon the assigned readings. There is to be one submission for each class, to be completed and submitted on-line at Turnitin prior to the class. The entries are to be two to three double spaced typed pages. In the papers, students will properly reference the reading materials using proper MLA citations [see below under papers]. In their written submissions students will reflect upon and react to the material in the assigned readings for that class. Students will be prepared to discuss their essays in class. Appropriate topics that can be included in the essays are: C How do the readings fit in with the course overall? How do they relate to material already covered? C Did something confirm what you already knew, believed, or suspected? What was the source of the information you brought to the material? How do the readings relate to your own life experience and background? C Was anything surprising to you? Why? C Was anything completely new to you? Does this build on what you already knew, or does it challenge strongly held beliefs? Does it make a difference? Why? C What questions did the readings raise for you that you would like to see discussed in class? Can you propose some possible answers to your questions based on what you know. C The focus of each essay however is to be on the current reading assignment. Do not merely turn in your notes from the previous class lecture. The essays [and papers] will be graded on Turnitin two weeks. Journals will be graded with: 100-90 meets and exceeds expectations 80-89 meets expectations 70-79 adequate but some spelling, grammar, or content problems 60-69 not adequate because of significant spelling or grammar issues, or content not related to the assigned readings. 0 skipped assignment or failed to address the assignment. Instructions for the final essay are in the Schedule below under Week Fourteen. Students will review their weekly submissions, and prepare a longer summary reflection upon the class as a whole for use in the final class discussion. Papers will be accepted late (but by no more than a week) only for exceptional reasons and with prior permission of Dr. Jensen. Late papers may bring a lower grade. Papers and essays submitted for this course must consistently use the Modern Language Association [MLA] system of bibliographic references to indicate the sources for all quotations,
and to indicate the sources for all concepts and ideas that were acquired in researching and preparing the essay or paper. If you have questions about MLA style and formatting, make an appointment with the Librarian in the Mass Ave Resource Center on C2. For additional help consult the OWL at Perdue University site: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ The final research paper may require that the student spend time in an academic Library. Georgetown s Lauinger Library on the main campus has excellent resources related to Islam. Students should check ahead about library hours and access especially during holidays when planning to do their research. Some students may find it more convenient to use the Mullen Library at Catholic University of America, where, as Georgetown students, they do have access and check out privileges. Again, check ahead for hours and plan ahead. (Catholic U is adjacent to the Brookland Station on the Red Line). Georgetown Honor System: All students are expected to follow Georgetown=s honor code unconditionally. We assume you have read the honor code material located at www.georgetown.edu/honor, and in particular have read the following documents: Honor Council Pamphlet, What Is Plagiarism? Sanctioning Guidelines, and Expedited Sanctioning Process. Please also note the honor code guidelines with respect to the use of library materials. Papers in this course will all be submitted to turnitin.com to check for plagiarism. Submitting material in fulfillment of the requirements of this course means that you have abided by the Georgetown honor pledge: In the pursuit of the high ideals and rigorous standards of academic life, I commit myself to respect and uphold the Georgetown Honor system: To be honest in any academic endeavor, and to conduct myself honorably, as a responsible member of the Georgetown community, as we live and work together. In accord with university policy, all incidents of suspected plagiarism or other Honor Code violations will be reported to the Honor Council without fail. If the Honor Council finds that a student has plagiarized or has violated the Honor Code in any other way, the student may receive a grade of F for the course. Turnitin: Students acknowledge that by taking this course all required papers will be submitted to submission for a Textual Similarity Review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the terms of use agreement posted on the Turnitin.com site. All papers will be graded on Turnitin within two weeks of receipt. [See scoring for essays above]. Grading: The final grade for the course will be calculated as follows: 93-100 % = A 77-79 % = C+ 90-92 % = A- 73-76 % = C 87-89 % = B+ 70-72 % = C- 83-86 % = B 67-69 % = D+
80-82 % = B- 60-66 % = D Below 60 % = F Incomplete grades must be requested of the Associate Dean BEFORE the last regular class (May 2, 2016). Should you have an exceptional situation that you believe requires that you request an incomplete, you must discuss the matter with the Associate Dean and with me, prepare the request form for my signature, and deliver the form to Associate Dean prior to the deadline. An incomplete may bring a lower grade at the discretion of the faculty member. Withdrawing from the course: A student may withdraw from the course at any time up until March 22, 2016 (the date published in the University Calendar); however, the student is responsible for filling out the appropriate forms, obtaining the necessary signatures, and properly submitting the paperwork in time to meet the deadline. If the paperwork is not completed, the student automatically receives a grade of F. Veterans and active duty military personnel are welcome. Those with special circumstances requiring accommodation (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill requirements, disabilities) should discuss these in advance if possible with the professor. Every effort will be made to work with such students consistent with the integrity of the academic process. Disabilities: If you are a student with a documented disability who requires accommodations or if you think you may have a disability and want to inquire about accommodations, please contact the Academic Resource Center at 202-687-8354 or arc@georgetown.edu. Accommodating Students Religious Observances: Georgetown University promotes respect for all religions. Any student who is unable to attend classes or to participate in any examination, presentation, or assignment on a given day because of the observance of a major religious holiday or related travel shall be excused and provided with the opportunity to make up, without unreasonable burden, any work that has been missed for this reason and shall not in any other way be penalized for the absence or rescheduled work. Students will remain responsible for all assigned work. Students should notify professors in writing at the beginning of the semester of religious observances that conflict with their classes. Extreme weather, Emergencies, and Instructional Continuity: During inclement weather and other emergencies on a day when we are scheduled to meet face-to-face, check the university s Web site or call (202) 687-7669 for information on whether the university is open. If the university is open this class will meet. If the university is closed, this class will meet through distance means such as online videconferencing; check your e-mail for a message from me on how we will proceed in that situation. Due dates for written assignments submitted through Blackboard will not be changed due to campus closings. The university has the capability to send text messages and recorded messages about emergencies to cell phones and other mobile devices. Sign up on MyAccess. Important Dates: Wednesday, January 13 First Class Monday, January 25 Second Class. First of the required weekly essays due on Turnitin by 5:30 pm
Saturday, February 20 First paper due on Turnitin at midnight Monday, March 22 Last day to withdraw from the course. Saturday, April 2 Second paper due on Turnitin at midnight Saturday, May 14 Final paper due on Turnitin at noon. Class Schedule and Topics (Note: This Schedule may be subject to modification.) Wednesday, January 13: WEEK ONE: GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW Class: Islam: An Overview, Pre-Islamic Arabia Monday, January 25: WEEK TWO: ORIGINS Class: Muhammad: The man, the prophet, the book Monday, February 1: WEEK THREE: THE ISLAMIC TRADITION Class: The making of the Islamic Tradition Monday, February 8: WEEK FOUR: INTERIOR CONFLICTS Class: Early developments, conflicts, and divisions Monday, February 22: WEEK FIVE: THE RELIGION OF ISLAM - 1 Paper # 1 due Class: Theology Monday, February 29: WEEK SIX: THE RELIGION OF ISLAM - 2 Class: Teachings, Law, Practices Monday, March 14: WEEK SEVEN: REACTION FROM EUROPE Class: The Crusades Monday, March 21: WEEK EIGHT: THE TRIUMPH OF ISLAM - 1 Class: The Moghul Empire Monday, March 21: WEEK NINE: THE TRIUMPH OF ISLAM - 2 Class: The Ottoman Empire Monday, April 4: WEEK SEVEN: COLONIALISM
Paper # 2 due Class: The Arrival of the West Monday, April 11: WEEK EIGHT: REACTION AND REBELLION Class: The Awakening of the East Monday, April 18: WEEK NINE: ISLAM TODAY Class: Modern Islam in the heartlands and beyond Fundamentalism Monday, April 25: ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY ISLAM Class: The Modern Moslem State The quest of Islamic Democracy The Islamic Reformation Monday, May 2: CLOSING SESSION Class: Student guided discussion and Wrap-up Saturday, May 14: Final Paper due