Islam RELG 350.11360 and INAS 425.10357 Winthrop University Spring 1995, MW 2:00-3:15, KINA 204 Prof. Ed Haynes History, BANC 346 Phone: 4682; E-Mail: haynese Office hours: MTWRF 8:00-8:50, and by appointment This course will attempt an introduction to the culture and society of Islam. While focused on what we, in the West, call the "religion" of Islam, we will range far beyond the narrower definitions of religion to examine the ideas and manifestations of Islam in both historical and contemporary examples. The course will be closely focused on the texts of Islam and on specific examples of the interpretations and applications of these textual bases of belief and practice. Texts: These are available in the bookstore and all should plan on purchasing all. John L. Esposito, Islam: The Straight Path, expanded edition (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, [1991]; ISBN 0-19-507472-6). Al-Qur'an, tr. Ahmed Ali (Princeton: Princeton University Press, [1984]; ISBN 0-691-02046-9). F. E. Peters, A Reader on Classical Islam (Princeton: Princeton University Press, [1994]; ISBN 0-691-00040-9). It will be the invariable assumption that you will have done and understood the readings assigned for each class meeting before you come to class. Frequently, you will need to be fully prepared to participate in a close discussion of those readings. Therefore, you should probably plan on bringing the Peters reader (and, sometimes, the Qur'an) to those classes for which readings from it are assigned. If you have another interpretation of the Qur'an, it might be acceptable. Check with the instructor on this. Course Requirements: Winthrop says I have to give you a grade. Which such things probably get in the way of learning, here is how it will be computed: Map Quiz -- It is vitally important that you have some degree of grasp of the significant geography in the region which we may term the "heartland" of Islam. Based on the study materials passed out in the first class, there will be a map quiz on 18 January; your performance on this quiz will be 10% of your grade for the course. You are, however, expected to "pass" this quiz before the end of the semester. This means you will be expected to make a "65" on the map quiz. If you have not done so on the first attempt, there will be additional opportunities. None of these subsequent grades will factor directly into your final grade except in so far you are expected to pass; if you have not passed by end of the semester, your grade will be an "IF" and you can see me next fall to continue taking the map quiz. This can be intensely embarrassing if you believe yourself to be a graduating senior. Reaction Paper -- On (or about?) 27 January, we shall be viewing the important film "The Message." On 30 January, you owe me a reaction paper (5-7 pages?) on this film. This paper will be 15% of the final grade. Reaction Paper -- On 6 February, you own me a general reaction paper to your careful and insightful reading of the complete text of Al-Qur'an; this will be 15% of the final grade. Discussion -- You are expected to participate in in-class discussions, which will draw heavily on the assigned readings (below). This will be 15% of the semester grade. This presumes, of course, that you do the reading, come to class, and participate intelligently and cogently in the discussion. Mid-Term Exam -- On 22 February, there will be a mid-term exam. The exam will be mainly essay with a few short-answer identification questions. The exam will be 20% of the final grade. Final Exam -- The final exam will be on 3 May. It will be much like the Mid-Term Exam and, while it will focus on the material since that exam, it will also be broadly comprehensive. It will be 25% of the final grade. There is no curve. Grade will be awarded on a strict "ten-point-cut" basis, where A=100-90, B=89-80, C=79-70, D=69-60, and F=59 or less. A copy of this syllabus is on-line at http://haynese.winthrop.edu/syll/islamsyl.html and you are encouraged to consult it. For further information on using/citing the World Wide Web, see the excellent citation guide from East Tennessee State University. Late papers will be accepted, but at an inflexible penalty of 10 points (one letter grade) per calendar day the paper is late. There are no excuses or appeals with regard to this policy. Early papers are welcomed. If you miss an exam for any reason (contemporaneously documented illness or death) you will be allowed a take-home makeup at 10 points penalty; missing an exam for any other reason will earn a zero (which averages very badly). This course has an attendance policy. The policy is that you are all adults who have the right and responsibility to made decisions about your own lives. I am not your mother, so I shall not take roll. If you are not here, you will not learn from what we do in class and will be unable to discuss. You have been warned. Schedule of Classes and Readings: Wednesday, 11 January -- Introduction Monday, 16 January -- Arabia before Muhammad Esposito, Islam, pp. vii-xvi, 3-7 Peters, Reader, pp. xv-xvi, 3-7 Wednesday, 18 January -- Arab Religion before Muhammad Peters, Reader, pp. 8-42 Monday, 23 January -- Muhammad the Man Esposito, Islam, pp. 7-19 Al-Qur'an, 96, 68, 73, 110 (traditionally, the first three [96, 68, and 73] and last [110] suras of Al-Qur'an to be revealed) Peters, Reader, pp. 43-98 Wednesday, 25 January -- Al-Qur'an: Basic Doctrines Al-Qur'an, 2:1-39, 72-82; 3:118-85; 6:1-58, 89-118; 7:1-58; 13; 8; 23:1-22; 9:38-64; 36; 33:9-27; 39:22-end; 41:1-6; 69; 75; 76; 77 Esposito, Islam, pp. 19-33 Friday, 27 January -- Showing of the Film "The Message" Monday, 30 January -- Al-Qur'an: The Umma (Community) and Others Al-Qur'an, 2:40-71, 83-136, 190-94, 246-53; 3:33-115; 4:59-122, 135-49; 5:12-32, 51-86, 110-20 (compare with Genesis 4:1-16); 7:10-29, 59-174 (compare with Genesis 2-3); 8:38-46, 72-75; 9:1-35, 60-129; 12 (compare with Genesis 37-50); 18; 19:1-40, 88-98; 20:1-99; 23:57-70, 81-94; 28:1-50; 29:14-40; 60 Peters, Reader, pp. 99-157 REACTION PAPER TO "THE MESSAGE" DUE Wednesday, 1 February -- Al-Qur'an: Law Al-Qur'an, 2:142-89, 195-203, 215-45, 261-86; 4:1-43, 127-30; 5:38-47, 87-97; 6:136-54; 22:25-41; 24:1-34, 56-64; 33:28-73; 58:1-4; 65:1-7 Peters, Reader, pp. 158-211, 227-56 1 Ramadân 1415 (1 February) -- Beginning of the Month of Ramadân Monday, 6 February -- The Hadith Peters, Reader, pp. 109-112, 198-201, 212-27 REACTION PAPER TO AL-QUR'AN DUE Wednesday, 8 February -- Theology and Dogma Esposito, Islam, pp. 69-75 Peters, Reader, pp. 257-306, 358-412 Monday, 13 February -- Law and Practice: The Shari'a Esposito, Islam, pp. 75-101 Peters, Reader, pp. 212-56, 374-77 Wednesday, 15 February -- Philosophical Trends vs. Popular Beliefs Esposito, Islam, pp. 101-113 Peters, Reader, pp. 307-357 Monday, 20 February -- Review for Exam (i.e., Catch Up!) Wednesday, 22 February -- MID-TERM EXAM Monday, 27 February -- The Five Pillars: Shahadat and Salat Peters, Reader, pp. 92-93, 100-102, 104-106, 150-52, 231-36, 263-76 27 Ramadân 1415 (27 February) -- Lailatul Qadr -- Traditional commencement of the revelation of the Qur'an Wednesday, 1 March -- The Five Pillars: Zakat and Sawm Peters, Reader, pp. 8-9, 37-39, 50-53, 61-63, 169-70, 252-56, 276-79 1 Shawwâl 1415 (3 March) -- 'Id al-Fitr -- End of the Month of Ramadân SPRING BREAK Monday, 13 March -- The Five Pillars: Hajj Peters, Reader, pp. 11-13, 20-22, 92-95, 279-89, 294-98 Wednesday, 15 March -- Other Basic Ideas: Jihad and Women Peters, Reader, pp. 11-13, 49-54, 67-68, 89-90, 131-33, 148-52, 154-65, 175-76, 249-51, 260-61 Monday, 20 March -- The Sufi Challenge Peters, Reader, pp. 307-357 Wednesday, 22 March -- Sunni vs. Shii Peters, Reader, pp. 112-17, 122-27, 133-46, 183-87, 221-22, 240-42, 277-79, 353-57 Monday, 27 March -- The Spread of the Faith and Regional Variations Esposito, Islam, pp. 114-17 Wednesday, 29 March -- Reform within the Faith Esposito, Islam, pp. 117-55 Monday, 3 April -- Modern Reforms and Reformers Esposito, Islam, pp. 156-67, 182-86 Wednesday, 5 April -- Political Islam: Egypt and Sudan Esposito, Islam, pp. 167-72 Muslim Brotherhood Monday, 10 April -- Political Islam: Libya and Algeria Esposito, Islam, pp. 172-75 Wednesday, 12 April -- Political Islam: Iran Esposito, Islam, pp. 175-82 Monday, 17 April -- Political Islam: Saudi Arabia Esposito, Islam, pp. 187-91 Committee Against Corruption in Saudi Arabia Wednesday, 19 April -- Political Islam: U.S.A. Rent and view the movie "X" (by Spike Lee) on Malcolm X Monday, 24 April -- The Future of Islam Esposito, Islam, pp. 192-218 FINAL EXAM -- 8 a.m., Wednesday, 3 May 1995 (3 Dhû'l-Hijja 1415) Edward S. Haynes, Department of History, Winthrop University haynese@winthrop.edu http://haynese@winthrop.edu/syll/islamsyl.html last revised 21 May 1997
RELG 350.11360 and INAS 425.10357 Winthrop University Spring 1995, MW 2:00-3:15, KINA 204
Prof. Ed Haynes History, BANC 346 Phone: 4682; E-Mail: haynese Office hours: MTWRF 8:00-8:50, and by appointment
This course will attempt an introduction to the culture and society of Islam. While focused on what we, in the West, call the "religion" of Islam, we will range far beyond the narrower definitions of religion to examine the ideas and manifestations of Islam in both historical and contemporary examples. The course will be closely focused on the texts of Islam and on specific examples of the interpretations and applications of these textual bases of belief and practice.
Texts:
These are available in the bookstore and all should plan on purchasing all.
John L. Esposito, Islam: The Straight Path, expanded edition (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, [1991]; ISBN 0-19-507472-6).
Al-Qur'an, tr. Ahmed Ali (Princeton: Princeton University Press, [1984]; ISBN 0-691-02046-9).
F. E. Peters, A Reader on Classical Islam (Princeton: Princeton University Press, [1994]; ISBN 0-691-00040-9).
It will be the invariable assumption that you will have done and understood the readings assigned for each class meeting before you come to class. Frequently, you will need to be fully prepared to participate in a close discussion of those readings. Therefore, you should probably plan on bringing the Peters reader (and, sometimes, the Qur'an) to those classes for which readings from it are assigned. If you have another interpretation of the Qur'an, it might be acceptable. Check with the instructor on this.
Course Requirements:
Winthrop says I have to give you a grade. Which such things probably get in the way of learning, here is how it will be computed:
Map Quiz -- It is vitally important that you have some degree of grasp of the significant geography in the region which we may term the "heartland" of Islam. Based on the study materials passed out in the first class, there will be a map quiz on 18 January; your performance on this quiz will be 10% of your grade for the course. You are, however, expected to "pass" this quiz before the end of the semester. This means you will be expected to make a "65" on the map quiz. If you have not done so on the first attempt, there will be additional opportunities. None of these subsequent grades will factor directly into your final grade except in so far you are expected to pass; if you have not passed by end of the semester, your grade will be an "IF" and you can see me next fall to continue taking the map quiz. This can be intensely embarrassing if you believe yourself to be a graduating senior.
Reaction Paper -- On (or about?) 27 January, we shall be viewing the important film "The Message." On 30 January, you owe me a reaction paper (5-7 pages?) on this film. This paper will be 15% of the final grade.
Reaction Paper -- On 6 February, you own me a general reaction paper to your careful and insightful reading of the complete text of Al-Qur'an; this will be 15% of the final grade.
Discussion -- You are expected to participate in in-class discussions, which will draw heavily on the assigned readings (below). This will be 15% of the semester grade. This presumes, of course, that you do the reading, come to class, and participate intelligently and cogently in the discussion.
Mid-Term Exam -- On 22 February, there will be a mid-term exam. The exam will be mainly essay with a few short-answer identification questions. The exam will be 20% of the final grade.
Final Exam -- The final exam will be on 3 May. It will be much like the Mid-Term Exam and, while it will focus on the material since that exam, it will also be broadly comprehensive. It will be 25% of the final grade.
There is no curve. Grade will be awarded on a strict "ten-point-cut" basis, where A=100-90, B=89-80, C=79-70, D=69-60, and F=59 or less.
A copy of this syllabus is on-line at http://haynese.winthrop.edu/syll/islamsyl.html and you are encouraged to consult it. For further information on using/citing the World Wide Web, see the excellent citation guide from East Tennessee State University.
Late papers will be accepted, but at an inflexible penalty of 10 points (one letter grade) per calendar day the paper is late. There are no excuses or appeals with regard to this policy. Early papers are welcomed. If you miss an exam for any reason (contemporaneously documented illness or death) you will be allowed a take-home makeup at 10 points penalty; missing an exam for any other reason will earn a zero (which averages very badly).
This course has an attendance policy. The policy is that you are all adults who have the right and responsibility to made decisions about your own lives. I am not your mother, so I shall not take roll. If you are not here, you will not learn from what we do in class and will be unable to discuss. You have been warned.
Schedule of Classes and Readings:
Wednesday, 11 January -- Introduction
Monday, 16 January -- Arabia before Muhammad
Esposito, Islam, pp. vii-xvi, 3-7
Peters, Reader, pp. xv-xvi, 3-7
Wednesday, 18 January -- Arab Religion before Muhammad
Peters, Reader, pp. 8-42
Monday, 23 January -- Muhammad the Man
Esposito, Islam, pp. 7-19
Al-Qur'an, 96, 68, 73, 110 (traditionally, the first three [96, 68, and 73] and last [110] suras of Al-Qur'an to be revealed)
Peters, Reader, pp. 43-98
Wednesday, 25 January -- Al-Qur'an: Basic Doctrines
Al-Qur'an, 2:1-39, 72-82; 3:118-85; 6:1-58, 89-118; 7:1-58; 13; 8; 23:1-22; 9:38-64; 36; 33:9-27; 39:22-end; 41:1-6; 69; 75; 76; 77
Esposito, Islam, pp. 19-33
Friday, 27 January -- Showing of the Film "The Message"
Monday, 30 January -- Al-Qur'an: The Umma (Community) and Others
Al-Qur'an, 2:40-71, 83-136, 190-94, 246-53; 3:33-115; 4:59-122, 135-49; 5:12-32, 51-86, 110-20 (compare with Genesis 4:1-16); 7:10-29, 59-174 (compare with Genesis 2-3); 8:38-46, 72-75; 9:1-35, 60-129; 12 (compare with Genesis 37-50); 18; 19:1-40, 88-98; 20:1-99; 23:57-70, 81-94; 28:1-50; 29:14-40; 60
Peters, Reader, pp. 99-157
REACTION PAPER TO "THE MESSAGE" DUE
Wednesday, 1 February -- Al-Qur'an: Law
Al-Qur'an, 2:142-89, 195-203, 215-45, 261-86; 4:1-43, 127-30; 5:38-47, 87-97; 6:136-54; 22:25-41; 24:1-34, 56-64; 33:28-73; 58:1-4; 65:1-7
Peters, Reader, pp. 158-211, 227-56
1 Ramadân 1415 (1 February) -- Beginning of the Month of Ramadân
Monday, 6 February -- The Hadith
Peters, Reader, pp. 109-112, 198-201, 212-27
REACTION PAPER TO AL-QUR'AN DUE
Wednesday, 8 February -- Theology and Dogma
Esposito, Islam, pp. 69-75
Peters, Reader, pp. 257-306, 358-412
Monday, 13 February -- Law and Practice: The Shari'a
Esposito, Islam, pp. 75-101
Peters, Reader, pp. 212-56, 374-77
Wednesday, 15 February -- Philosophical Trends vs. Popular Beliefs
Esposito, Islam, pp. 101-113
Peters, Reader, pp. 307-357
Monday, 20 February -- Review for Exam (i.e., Catch Up!)
Wednesday, 22 February -- MID-TERM EXAM
Monday, 27 February -- The Five Pillars: Shahadat and Salat
Peters, Reader, pp. 92-93, 100-102, 104-106, 150-52, 231-36, 263-76
27 Ramadân 1415 (27 February) -- Lailatul Qadr -- Traditional commencement of the revelation of the Qur'an
Wednesday, 1 March -- The Five Pillars: Zakat and Sawm
Peters, Reader, pp. 8-9, 37-39, 50-53, 61-63, 169-70, 252-56, 276-79
1 Shawwâl 1415 (3 March) -- 'Id al-Fitr -- End of the Month of Ramadân
SPRING BREAK
Monday, 13 March -- The Five Pillars: Hajj
Peters, Reader, pp. 11-13, 20-22, 92-95, 279-89, 294-98
Wednesday, 15 March -- Other Basic Ideas: Jihad and Women
Peters, Reader, pp. 11-13, 49-54, 67-68, 89-90, 131-33, 148-52, 154-65, 175-76, 249-51, 260-61
Monday, 20 March -- The Sufi Challenge
Wednesday, 22 March -- Sunni vs. Shii
Peters, Reader, pp. 112-17, 122-27, 133-46, 183-87, 221-22, 240-42, 277-79, 353-57
Monday, 27 March -- The Spread of the Faith and Regional Variations
Esposito, Islam, pp. 114-17
Wednesday, 29 March -- Reform within the Faith
Esposito, Islam, pp. 117-55
Monday, 3 April -- Modern Reforms and Reformers
Esposito, Islam, pp. 156-67, 182-86
Wednesday, 5 April -- Political Islam: Egypt and Sudan
Esposito, Islam, pp. 167-72
Muslim Brotherhood
Monday, 10 April -- Political Islam: Libya and Algeria
Esposito, Islam, pp. 172-75
Wednesday, 12 April -- Political Islam: Iran
Esposito, Islam, pp. 175-82
Monday, 17 April -- Political Islam: Saudi Arabia
Esposito, Islam, pp. 187-91
Committee Against Corruption in Saudi Arabia
Wednesday, 19 April -- Political Islam: U.S.A.
Rent and view the movie "X" (by Spike Lee) on Malcolm X
Monday, 24 April -- The Future of Islam
Esposito, Islam, pp. 192-218
FINAL EXAM -- 8 a.m., Wednesday, 3 May 1995 (3 Dhû'l-Hijja 1415)
Edward S. Haynes, Department of History, Winthrop University haynese@winthrop.edu http://haynese@winthrop.edu/syll/islamsyl.html last revised 21 May 1997