RUTGERS UNIVERSITY  RELIGION DEPARTMENT

840:326 Islam World

Dr. James Pavlin

Time and Place: S 8:30-12:00, MU 210/CAC

Office: Loree Bldg. 130/DC, (732) 932-2107 (office phone and voice mail); email: jpavlin@hotmail.com

Course Description: The purpose of this course is to introduce students to Islam in its religious and historical contexts. In order to accomplish this, a three-fold approach is taken: a study of the scriptural texts of Islam, of the fundamental doctrines derived from these texts, and of the various interpretations given to the texts and doctrines by the major Muslim groups which developed over the centuries. Additionally, the interpretations of Western Orientalists will be included as part of the process of understanding divergent approaches to Islam. From the historical point of view, the focus of study will be divided between the formative and classical periods of Islam (from the 7^th to the 18^th centuries CE) and the modern period (since 1798 CE). However, emphasis will be given to the modern Islamic movements and the role of women in contemporary Islamic societies.

Required Text: Ask, Karen and Marit Tjomsland. Women and Islamization: Contemporary Dimensions of Discourse on Gender Relations.

Sidahmed, Abdel Salam and Anoushiravan Ehteshami. Islamic Fundamentalism.

Waines, David. An Introduction to Islam.

Arjomand, Said Amir. The shadow of God and the Hidden Imam : religion, political order, and societal change in

Shi'ite Iran from the beginning to 1890.

Ayoub, Mahmoud. The Qur’an and its Interpreters.

Geertz, Clifford. Islam Observed: Religious Development in Morocco and Indonesia.

Ghazi, M. Jamil. Marriage and Divorce.

Ibn Hisham, Abd al-Malik. The Life of Muhammad: a translation of Ibn Ishaq’s Sirat Rasul Allah.

Peters, F.E. Muhammad and the Origins of Islam.

Said, Edward W. Orientalism.

Schimmel, Annemarie. Mystical Dimensions of Islam.

Sivan, Emmanuel. Radical Islam: Medieval Theology and Modern Politics.

Stowasser, Barbara. Women in the Qur’an, Traditions, and Interpretation.

Walther, Wiebke. Women in Islam: From Medieval to Modern Times.

Watt, W.M. Muhammad, Prophet and Statesman.

1) Class Attendance and Participation: 40% of final grade. Students are expected to contribute to class discussions. Material covered in class should be incorporated into research assignments. Occasional in class assignments may be given. In order to receive an excused absence, students must present a written note (from doctor, etc.).

2) Five Research Papers: 60% of final grade. The research papers should have 5 pages of text (with a minimum of 250 words per page), plus a cover page, references and bibliography (see attached sheet for guidelines). Papers must be handed on their due dates (see below), late papers will not be accepted without prior approval or excused absence. Students may choose any topic related to the overall theme for each paper. Besides content criteria, the papers should show that the student has mastered research and writing techniques. Papers should be in standard format: printed on white paper (8 1/2 x 11) with 1 in. margins and double-spaced, a plain font (10 point), black ink.

General Policies: Students are expected to be prepared for class by reading all required assignments. Students are responsible for all information presented in the lectures as well as what is contained in the required readings. Recommended readings are optional and meant for use on the research papers and for exploring certain topics in depth. Students who plan on being absent for any reason, such as religious observances, must inform me in writing one week before the scheduled absence. An incomplete ("T" grade) for this course will ordinarily not be given.

Grading System: A=100-90, B+=89-87, B=86-80, C+=79-77, C=76-70, D=69-65, F=64 and below

June 2 Introduction.

June 9 The foundations of Islam. Waines, Part 1, Chaps. 1-2.

June 16 The making of Islamic Tradition (I): Law. Waines, Part 2, Chap. 3.

1^st paper due, topic: Quran or Hadith.

June 23 The Making of Islamic Tradition (II): Theology. Waines, Part 2, Chap. 4.

June 30 Sufis and Shiites. Waines, Part 2, Chaps. 5-6.

2^nd paper due, topic: Law or Theology.

July 7 Islam and the Rise of Western Domination. Waines, Part 3, Chaps. 7-8.

July 14 Contemporary Islamic Movements. Sidahmed, Part 1, Chaps. 1-4.

3^rd paper due, topic: Sufism or Shiism.

July 21 The Role of Women in Islam: Revival or Reinterpretation. Ask, Chaps. 1, 4; Sidahmed, Part 3, Chap. 14.

July 28 Case Studies I: Egypt, Sudan, Iran. Sidahmed, Part 2, Chaps. 6, 8, 10, Part 3, Chap. 13; Ask, Chaps. 2, 7.

Aug. 4 Case Studies II: Algeria, Jordan, Syria, Palestine. Sidahmed, Part 2, Chaps. 5, 7, 9, 11; Ask, Chap. 3. 

4^th paper due, topic: Contemporary Issues Related to Women in Islam or Case Studies I.

Aug. 11 Case Studies III: Yemen, Senegal, Turkey. Sidahmed, Part 2, Chap. 12; Ask, Chaps. 5, 6.

Aug. 14 (extended deadline)

5^th paper due, topic: Contemporary Issues Related to Case Studies II or III.

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This page was revised 7 November 2000