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Office: 205E Davison (463-5590)
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This course will introduce the student to the diversity of religious beliefs and and practices in Islam, one of the world's major religions and multi-cultural traditions. We will survey the origins and early history of the Islamic faith, with an emphasis on the role of Muhammad as Prophet and the revelation of the Quran. A major aim of this course is to give voice to Islamic texts and provide a window into how Muslims, in varying sociohistorical contexts, view themselves. Among the specific topics addressed are: core Islamic religious texts, Islamic doctrine and law, philosophy, Sufi mysticism, Islamic science and technology, gender and the role of women, politics, fundamentalism and jihad, the ongoing debate between secularism and traditionalism in contemporary Islamic societies and Islam in America. The course is oriented both to those who have little or no prior knowledge of Islam and those who already have a background in Islam. The ultimate aim of the course is neither to glorify nor critique Islam as a religion but rather to allow the student to see how Muslims view themselves and how we in the West have filtered these views over the centuries through the present. It is, in short, a course on the idea of Islam, an idea which continues to take shape.
• Sardar, Ziauddin and Zafar Abbas Malik (2002) Introducing Islam. Cambridge: Icon Books.
• Esposito, John L, editor (1999) The Oxford History of Islam. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Chick, Jack T. (1988) The Prophet. Alberto Part Six. Chino, CA: Chick Publications. (comic book)
• RS50 Reader (This is available only at Sir Speedy (794-1234) at 2039 Hempstead Turnpike, across from Home Depot)
1. READING THE
ASSIGNMENTS by the date noted in the course schedule or as directed
by the professor. It is is important to read the assigned material
before class so that you can participate fully in class discussion
and bring up questions or explore issues you are not clear about.
Bring the assigned text with you to class on the relevant day.
2. CLASS ATTENDANCE. Attendance will be
taken each day at the start of class. If you are unable to attend
class due to any reason (e.g., medical, traffic accident, sports
travel, job interview, alarm didn't go off) you must provide a
written note informing me of the reason you were absent. You are
allowed up to 4 excused absences. For each absence over the limit,
you will lose 3 points from your final grade points. It is my
decision, as professor, whether an absence is to be excused or not.
Note that an excessive number of absences may cause you to fail
this course.
3. EXAMS: There will be 2 in-class exams with
2 essays and 18 short answers each. Each exam essay will be graded
according to the following criteria:
a. Demonstration that the information is understoodb. Use of relevant and appropriate information and examples from the course
c. Critical analysis of key concepts and perspectives
d. Synthesis and reformulation in your own words
e. Clarity , completeness and coherence of response
Exams cannot be made up without
advance notice for a legitimate reason.
4. CLASS ASSIGNMENT JOURNAL (CAJ):
Each student is required to write class assignment essays related to assigned reading and discussions in class. The student must hand in the journal assignment on the day due. These assignments must be typed and at least 2-3 pages (500-750 words) in length. The idea of the assignment is to show how you interact with the material you are reading or seeing. You must relate your ideas and opinions to the assigned reading or topic.
The grading for this journal is "outcome based," which means that a particular assignment can be revised or expanded as necessary to meet the established criteria for full credit of 3 points per assignment, assuming the first is handed in on time. No revisions will be accepted after the last official day (Dec. 10) of class. The criteria for grading the CAJ are:
• a. Level of effort (appropriate length and degree you interact with the material)
• b. Appropriate and relevant examples
• c. Coherent argument and clear presentation of points
The following are the specific class assignments for the CAJ:
CAJ #1 (due 9/26) Mangling Muhammad. Based on your reading of the Smith article, explain how Christians were treated in early Islam. Then, find three spurious and deflammatory claims made by medieval Christians about Muhammad in the von Grunebaum reading. Why do you think these Christian apologists were so antagonistic to Islam?CAJ #2 (due 10/10) Legal Rights: The Community vs. the Individual. Based on your reading of the Kamali article, find two specific rights that apply to the community or ummah and two that apply directly to individuals. How does Islam (based mainly on the Quran) seek to combine both sets of legal rights?
CAJ #3 (due 10/29) The Muslim Concept of Allah. How is God (Allah in Arabic) defined by Muslims? It is important to explain why Islam is monotheistic and to know the characteristics Muslims assign to the one God. Compare and contrast what you have learned with your own understanding of God. If you are Muslim, explain how your concept is similar and different from other religions or secular explanations of God.
6. REFLECTIVE ESSAY: "The Prophet": Comic or
Tragic?
Purpose: The purpose of this essay is to recognize the bias and stereotypes in the comic book by Jack Chick about the claims of former priest Alberto R. Rivera regarding the origins, history and alleged motivations in Islam. Each student must write an original response identifying stereotypes about Islam and responding to these with information learned in the course. Address your argument to the following question: Is Chick's "The Prophet" comic or tragic or both? It is important in this reflective essay to show how Muslims react to absurd claims like those made in the comic book. You must draw on the various Muslim voices in articles read during the course. You should also address the point of why you think fundamentalists like Jack Chick are so antagonistic against Islam, as you reflect on the history of the two faiths. In addition to the course material, you are encouraged to use information obtained on Islamic websites or to become involved in an Islamic chat room.
Style: This is a reflective essay rather than a term paper. The idea is to put yourself into the role of a Muslim defending his/her faith against absurd and stereotypical claims. One way to write the essay is in the first person as an open letter to Jack Chick or Alberto Riviera. All quotations must be properly footnoted (use the Hofstra Writers Guide or that provided by the professor). Avoid long quotes or using quotes to sum up material you could as easily put in your own words.
Grading: This essay is worth 20 points. The major criteria I will use to grade the essay are listed below. Each criterion is worth 2 points: 1 if your work is adequate and 2 if it is impressive.
a. demonstration that the information presented is understoodb. use of relevant and appropriate examples from the course
c. covers an adequate range of issues
d. effective critique of stereotypes about Islam
e. inclusion of Islamic perspectives
f. ability to synthesize rather than merely repeat or describe
g. clarity and coherent explanation of points made
h. level of effort (including length)
i. originality and creativity
j. relevant use of information from an internet site
Length: 7-9 pages or 1750-2250 words. Remember to attach the essay cover sheet handed out by the professor.
Due Date: You may hand in a draft or outline up until Nov. 26 for comments without a grade. The final copy of your essay is due no later than DEC. 13 between 1:30-3:30 pm in 205E Davison. Remember to attach the essay cover sheet handed out by the professor. This must be handed to me by hand. Do not simply leave it in my office box. You are encouraged to hand in your essay on the last day of class. Late papers will have 3 points automatically taken off.
7. WEB CRITIQUE. Each student will
conduct a web critique on the internet regarding sites on Islam,
according to the guidelines on the web critique webpage at
<http://people.hofstra.edu/faculty/daniel_m_varisco/rs50web.html
>. You may hand this in
at any time either as a draft or for a grade. The final version of
your critique is due no later than Dec.10, the last formal day of
class.
EXTRA CREDIT. Each student in the class has an opportunity to earn 6 extra-credit points. Attend the event or do the option and write up a 2-3 page discussion of what you got out of it and how it relates to the course material. I am not interested in a lot of descriptive information, but rather your reflections on what were the important points and how these relate to the class material and themes. All extra-credit assignments are due no later than the day of the final exam in this class.
OPTIONS:
• Study Guide for Exam# 1 Concepts (see handout)• Visit any Islamic religious service. Details available from professor.
• Interview a Muslim friend or relative.
• View "The Message" (a Hollywood film about the life of Muhammad) in Media Center
• Option you suggest and I approve in advance. This could be a relevant outside lecture, relevant documentary, etc.
Grading in this course is based on a 100 point scale (although the student has the opportunity to earn 107 points in the course). In general, the "A" range will extend from 90-107, the "B" range from 80-90, the "C" range from 70-80, the D-range starting at 64. The point accumulation breaks down as follows:
Exam #2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Class Assignment Journal (CAJ) . . . . . . . . . .. 9
Critical Analysis of Reading (CAR) . . . . . . . . 6
Reflective Essay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Web Critique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Extra Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
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