Rutgers University Dept. of Religion Spring 2003
840:203:01 (685:233:01) Islamic Scriptures: Quran and Hadith W2F5 HH-A7/CAC
Instructor: Dr. James Pavlin Office: Loree Bldg. 130/DC, (732) 932-2107 (office phone and voice mail); email: jpavlin@hotmail.com Office Hours: T F 10:00-11:00, or by appointment
Course Description: The purpose of the course is to introduce the student to the sacred texts of Islam. Muslims regard the Quran as the literal, revealed word of Allah but also consider the statements and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, collectively known as the Hadith or Sunnah, as part of a broader concept of revealed information. Each mode of revelation, Quran and Hadith, form the scriptural basis on which Muslims build their religious life and define the concepts of sacred and profane. The course will explore how revelation bridges the gap between the divine and human by examining Islamic scriptures in their historical, theological, legal and mystical contexts.
Required Texts: 1) Pickthall, Marmaduke. The Meaning of the Glorious Koran. 2) Reader Packet. 3) Sells, Michael. Approaching the Quran: the early revelations.
Recommended Texts on Reserve at Alexander Library:
Abdel Haleem, Muhammad. Understanding the Quran: Themes and Style.
Atiyeh , George N. The book in the Islamic world: the written word and communication in the Middle
East.
Ayoub, Mahmoud. The Qur’an and its Interpreters.
Azami, Muhammad M. Studies in Hadith Methodology and Literature.
Beeston, A.F.L., et al., editors. Arabic literature to the end of the Umayyad period.
Jansen, J.J.G. The Interpretation of the Koran in Modern Egypt.
Penrice, John. A dictionary and glossary of the Kor-ân, with copious grammatical references and
explanations of the text.
Rahman, Fazlur. Major Themes of the Quran.
Rippin, Andrew. Approaches to the History of the Interpretation of the Qur’an.
Seale, M.S. Quran and Bible: Studies in Interpretation and Dialogue.
Waines, David. An Introduction to Islam.
Watt, W. Montgomery. Bell’s Introduction to the Qur’an.
Course Requirements:
1) Class Attendance and Participation: 25% of final grade. Students are expected to contribute to class discussions. Material covered in class will be included on the exams. Quizzes and other in-class assignments may be given occasionally, without the possibility of make ups. In order to receive an excused absence, students must present a written note (from doctor, etc.).
2) Two Exams: each 25% of final grade. The exams will include short answer identifications and/or essay questions. Make up exams are permitted for those having an excused absence. The date for the make up exam will be within one week of the original exam date, based on the scheduling arrangements made by the department secretary. This will be the only possibility for a make up.
3) One Research Paper: 25% of final grade. The paper must have a cover page, a minimum of 4 pages of text (with a minimum of 250 words per page) and a bibliography. The topic for the paper must focus on a specific theme in the Quran and Hadith, e.g, the nature of God, creation, marriage, etc. Spelling, grammar and writing style will be considered in grading. Papers must be in standard format: typed on white paper (8 1/2 x 11) with 1 in. margins, double-spaced, a plain font, black ink. All papers must be handed in on their due date, late papers will not be accepted with out prior approval.
Grading System: A=100-90, B+=89-87, B=86-80, C+=79-77, C=76-70, D=69-65, F=64 and below. An incomplete (“T” grade) for this course will ordinarily not be given.
Course Outline and Reading Assignments:
1/22 Introduction
1/24, 29, 31 Overview of the Quran: Jacques Berque, “The Koranic Text: From Revelation to
Compilation” in The book in the Islamic world: the written word and communication in the Middle East, pp. 17-29 (on reserve).
2/5, 7 Overview of the Hadith: James Robson’s “Introduction” to the Mishkat al-Masabih in the
Reader Packet.
2/12, 14 The Relationship of the Quran to the Hadith and the Concept of Tafsir: Marston Speight,
“The Function of Hadith as Commentary on the Qur’an, as Seen in the Six Authoritative
Collections” in Approaches to the History of the Interpretation of the Qur’an, pp. 63-81 (on reserve).
2/19 The Virtues of the Quran: Chapters from the Mishkat al-Masabih in the Reader Packet.
2/21 Exam 1
2/26, 28 Introduction to the Meccan Suras: Sells, “Introduction” and “Glossary”, pp. 1-40.
3/5, 7 The Meccan Suras #s 1, 53:1-18, 81-84: Sells, pp. 41-63, 145-163 (compare with Pickthall).
3/12 The Meccan Suras #s 85-92: Sells, pp. 64-89, 164-168 (compare with Pickthall).
3/14 The Meccan Suras #s 93-102: Sells, pp. 90-115, 170-180 (compare with Pickthall).
Spring Break
3/26 The Meccan Suras #s 103-114: Sells, pp. 116-141 (compare with Pickthall).
3/28 class cancelled
4/2 Exam 2
4/4, 9 Themes in the Quran: Sells, “Sound, Spirit and Gender in the Quran”, pp. 183-207.
4/11, 16 Creation, Humanity, Life, Death and the Hereafter (Quranic passages to be assigned).
4/18, 23 History and Prophecy (Quranic passages to be assigned).
4/25, 30 Man, Woman, Family and Society (Quranic passages to be assigned).
5/2 Due date for the research papers. They must be received in the Dept. of Religion by 12
noon.