RELIGION 181
INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM

This course provides an introduction to the central religious and cultural facts of the world religion Islam.  We will devote a good deal of our time to consideration of the holy Scripture of Islam, the Qur’an (see http://www.oneummah.net/quran/quran.html/), and the traditions that grew forth from the Qur’anic milieu.  We will study the religious obligations and theological doctrines of Islam. We will also pay special attention to how and with what prejudices we approach Islam. The course focuses on the development of Islam in the Middle Ages; throughout the course, and particularly at the end of the course, we will look at contemporary Islamic issues.

Required texts:

A web-based Qur'an
Denny, Frederick M. An Introduction to Islam, 3^rd Edition (please note Glossary, pp. 403-411)
Goldziher, I. Introduction to Islamic Theology and Law
Rippin, A. & J. Knappert (eds.) Textual Sources for the Study of Islam
Watt, W. M. Muhammad: Prophet and Statesmsn

On reserve:

Jeffery, A. (ed.) Islam: Muhammad and his Religion
Nasr, S. H. Ideals and Realities of Islam

UNIT I. MUHAMMAD & QUR'AN

Sept. 6 — The Secret Life of Arabia
1. Denny 3-41

Sept. 11 — Muhammad
1. Watt 1-82
2. Denny 47-70
3. Qur'an, surahs 96, 74, 68, 77-84, 100-102, 104-109, 111-114
(The Qur'an may be found on the web here)

Sept. 13 - No class

Sept. 18 — Prophet and Community
1. Watt 83-240
2. Goldziher 1-30
3. Qur'an, surahs 3-7, 10-21, 38-42
(The Qur'an may be found on the web here )

Sept. 20 & 25 — Qur'an
1. Denny 128-147
2. Qur’an, surahs 1, 9, 23, 30, 34, 48, 50-65, 71
(The Qur'an may be found on the web here )

Sept. 27 - No class

Oct. 2 & 11 — Qur'an Interpreted (NOTE: Oct. 4 & 9 - No class
*1. Nasr 41-65
2. Qur'an, surahs 2, 26, 93, 94
(The Qur'an may be found on the web here )
3. Rippin 42-59
4. Denny 149-163

 UNIT II. SHARI`AH

Oct. 16 — History
1. Denny 72-93

Oct. 18 — Legal Theory
1. Goldziher 31-66
2. Denny 187-207
(you may also look at Malik Ibn Anas' Muwatta for an example of a fiqh book)

Oct. 23 & 25 — The Five Pillars
*1. Jeffery 155-211
2. Denny 97-120

Oct. 30 — MIDTERM EXAM

Nov. 1 — The Five Pillars (conclusion)
1. Rippin 59-115
2. Denny 120-126

  UNIT III. KALAM

Nov. 8 — Islam
*1. Jeffery 71-154
*2. Nasr 15-40
3. Denny 164-185

Nov. 13 & 15 — Thought
1. Goldziher 67-115 2. Rippin 115-134

UNIT IV. UMMAH

Nov. 20 & 27 — Unity and Diversity: Sunnis & Shi'is
1. Goldziher 230-268
2. Denny 206-214; 294-316
3. Rippin 134-157

Nov. 29 — Mysticism
1. Denny 211-258
2. Goldziher 116-166
3. Rippin 158-175

UNIT V. MODERNITY

Dec. 4 & 6 — Modern Trends
1. Goldziher 230-267
2. Denny 315-378
3. Rippin 175-190; 190-197