Course DescriptionRequired ReadingCourse Objectives | Schedule of Topics and Assignments | Course Method and StrategiesGrading and EvaluationParticipants |
The course introduces the participants to the history and teachings of Islam as one of the great Abrahamic religions. The course includes a prayerful reading of the Sacred Qur’an and an introduction to Islamic spirituality, art, and culture.
‘Abdullah Yusuf ‘Ali. The Meaning of The Holy Qur’an. 11th Edition with Revised Translation and Commentary. ISBN 1-59008-026-2. $17.00
Caesar E. Farah. Islam: Beliefs and Observances. New York: Barron's. (Seventh Edition), 2003. ISBN 0-7641-2226-6. Paperback $14.81
John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed. Who Speaks For Islam?: What a Billion Muslims Really Think. New York: Gallup Press, 2008 ISBN 1595620176 $15.61.
The Message: The Story of Islam, A Moustapha Akaad Film (178 minute) on DVD staring Anthony Quinn (in the English Version), 1976. [The authenticity of the film is approved by Muslim scholars and the University of Al-Azhar in Cairo.] (The movie will be shown during class; there is no need to individually purchase the DVD.)
Second Vatican Council. Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non-Christian Religions ("Nostra Aetate"), October 28, 1965. (Available on line)
Two issues of the magazine Al Jumuah (which will be provided during the course)
By the end of the course: 1) You will have read the Qur'an -- the most read text on the planet earth! 2) You will know the basic life story of Muhammad and the origins of Islam. 3) You will know basic Islamic terms and key concepts. 4) You will have the basic information needed to be able to dialogue with Muslims and begin to understand the riches of this great religion. 5) You will be able to see something of the Islamic answer to the great questions of life: Who is God? Who am I? What does God expect of me? 6) Your Christian perspective will be enriched.
1. Participants in this course are expected to have purchased the three text books listed above and to have: a personal computer or access to a computer; the ability to access websites and download and print files; the ability to send and receive e-mail; and the ability to post essays and enter into discussion on MOODLE.
2. This is a graduate seminar. Participants are expected to read the materials listed in this syllabus and to review the lecture notes (which are given as hyperlinks in the syllabus).
3. Before midnight of the day preceding the class period each student is to post on MOODLE a brief "meditation" on the Qur'an. For further details about this assignment see "Course Assignment" in Chapter d964 The Holy Qur'an of these notes. And each student is to post on MOODLE the essays indicated below in the syllabus. The purpose of these assignments is to give you the opportunity to think and to express those thoughts out loud. I consider "the ability to speak intelligently and interestingly about theology" to be one of the principal outcomes of your seminary formation. (Your posting will be graded primarily on how interesting it was for the class.) Because of the dialogical nature of these postings, it is important that they be posted on time. Seven points (= one letter grade) will be deducted for late postings. Grades and comments will be posted in the MOODLE grade book. The MOODLE grade book lists your grades numerically; the School Bulletin states that 95 (and above) = A; 94 = A-; 93 = B+; 92 (and lower) =B. [.5 is rounded up]
4. During the class period each participant will read their posting and receive comments on it from the professor and the other participants in the course. Each participant is expected to actively participate in the group work, oral presentations, discussions, etc. which will comprise the class time.
5. Absences from class for reasons other than illness are to have the prior approval of the professor.
6. It is helpful, and indeed important, to read one another's postings. However, your postings are presumed to be your original thought unless you indicate otherwise. When quoting someone give the source of the quote and indicate by quotation marks where the quotation begins and ends. Each participant is expect to be familiar with the "Statement on Plagiarism" in the Saint Meinrad Student Handbook.
7. For help at any time or questions about the assignments or the course in general you can e-mail me at trichstatter@saintmeinrad.edu You can contact me at my home in Tell City by phone at 812-547-5380. I am in my office at Saint Meinrad (G-234) on Mondays before class and by appointment.
8. In general, this is a "green" paper-less course. All lectures, notes, homework etc. postings are electronic. I suggest that you read the materials (especially the syllabus) from the internet rather than printing hard copies. MOODLE will remain for several weeks after the course. The information on my website will be available to you after the course and in the years to come -- for as long as I am able to maintain the site.
9. The syllabus will not change during the course (e.g. to add new assignments, etc.); however, following each class meeting I will adjust the syllabus to reflect what we actually did during the class so that you can have an accurate record for reviewing the material. Also, the material on my website is constantly being updated. Consequently, I suggest that you frequently click the "refresh" button on your web browser so that you have the most recent version of the page.
1. The final grade will be the average of the grades of the essays.
2. Failure to satisfactorily complete the "Meditation on the Qur'an" exercises will lower the grade one letter grade.
3. Unexcused absences and/or failure to participate sufficiently in the class discussions will lower the grade one letter grade.
Class #01, Monday, January 24 – Introduction to the course
Before class read: This syllabus. Purchase the assigned books and bring them to class.
Before class write: No written assignment for this first class.
During class: Presentation of the syllabus; method and assignments; Introduction to the course. The Parable of Jacob the Tailor. View video "The World of Islam (1): The Five Pillars of Islam," (30 minutes. Films for the Humanities.) Fill out the form: "My Goals for this Course"
Class #02, Monday, January 31 – Introduction to Islam
Before class read: Juz’ 1-2-3 (Sûrah 1:1 - 3:120). Vatican Council II, Nostra Aetate. Farah Chapter 1: An Introduction to Islam; Chapter 2: The Setting in Arabia.
Before class write: Meditation on the Qur'an, Juz’ 1-2-3. And Essay #1: Post a 400-600 essay on the "Five Pillars of Christianity." [You have seen how Islam is based on the "Five Pillars"; in an imaginative parallel, what would you say are the "Five Pillars of Christianity"?]
During class: Adhan (The call to prayer). A quick visit to the Iceberg Metaphor. Review of the Five Pillars Vatican II and Islam video "Prayer for Beginners," lecture by Abdalla Ali. (Islamic Audio Visual Center, VT 35-005) Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings. Qur'an (Sûrah 1:1 - 3:120) Islam in the news
Class #03, Monday, February 7 – Muhammad
Before class read: Juz’ 4-5-6 (Sûrah 3:121 - 5:86). Farah Chapter 3: Muhammad the Prophet; Chapter 4: Muhammad the Man.
Before class write: Meditation on the Qur'an.
During class: The History of Islam Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings on the Qur'an. Flash History of Religion in 90 Seconds Chapter d964 The Holy Qur'an video "The World of Islam (3): The Islamic City," Films for the Humanities.
Class #04, Monday, February 14 – The Qur'an
Before class read: Juz’ 7-8-9 (Sûrah 5:87 - 8:64). Farah Chapter 5: Foundations of Islam: The Qur'an; Chapter 6: The Fundamentals of Islam.
Before class write: Meditation on the Qur'an. (Essay #2) Write a 400-600 word essay comparing the Bible and the Quran.
During class: Revisit Nostra Aetate. Islam in the news. Qur'an (Sûrah 5:87 - 8:64) Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings. Chapter 968 Glossary of Arabic Words Dangers and Difficulties. Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names
Class #05, Monday, February 21 – Islam in Daily Life
Before class read: Juz’ 10-11-12 (Sûrah 8:65 - 12:68). John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed. Who Speaks For Islam? Chapters 1-3, pp 1-99.
Before class write: Meditation on the Qur'an. (Essay #3) Post a 400-600 word essay comparing the presentation of Islam in the first two chapters of Who Speaks For Islam with your own perception of Islam as you began this course and with your understanding of how most people in your parish of diocese think of Muslims.
During class: Sûrah 1 practice. Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings. video "Muhammad, the Natural Successor to Christ," video lecture by Ahmad Deeat. Islamic Audio Visual Center, VT 65-010.
Class #06, Monday, February 28 – The Qur'an and the Bible
Before class read: Juz’ 13-14-15 (Sûrah 12:69 - 18:82). Farah Chapter 7:
Before class write: Meditation on the Qur'an. (Essay #4) Post a 400-600 word essay comparing the story of Joseph in the Qur'an with the story of Joseph in the Bible. [In Sûrah 12 we read the story of Joseph and his brothers. This is the one extended narrative in the Qur'an.]
During class: Islamic Law Pilgrimage in Islam. Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings. video "The World of Islam (2): Islamic Art," Films for the Humanities.
Class #07, Monday, March 7 – Islamic Orthodoxy
Before class read: Juz’ 16-17-18 (Sûrah 18:83 - 25:44). Farah Chapter 9: Heterodoxy and Orthodoxy; Chapter 10: Formalism and Free Expression.
Before class write: Meditation on the Qur'an.
During class: Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings.
Class #08, Monday, March 14 – Movie
Before class read: No reading assignment for this period.
Before class write: No writing assignment for this period.
During class: View DVD movie The Message: The Story of Islam, A Moustapha Akaad Film (178 minute) on DVD (You can watch the movie during the class time; or at any time and place agreed upon by the participants; or on your own.)
No Class Monday, March 21 – Solemnity of Saint Meinrad
Class #09, Monday, March 28 – History (1)
Before class read: Juz’ 19-20-21 (Sûrah 25:45 - 33:52). Farah Chapter 11: "Medievalism" and the Dawn of "Renaissance"; Chapter 12: Islamic Resilience.
Before class write: Meditation on the Qur'an. (Essay #5) Post a 400-600 word essay comparing the life of Jesus and the life of Muhammad.
During class: Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings.
Class #10, Monday, April 11 – History (2)
Before class read: Juz’ 22-23-24 (Sûrah 33:53 - 41:54). (Sûrah 36 is often used in funerals. Compare the text of the Dies Irae) Farah Chapter 13: Islamic Dynamism; Chapter 14: Islam in Translation
Before class write: Meditation on the Qur'an. (Essay #6) Essay on Farah
During class: Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings. video "The World of Islam (5): Islamic Science and Technology," Films for the Humanities
Class #11, Monday, November 6, 2008 – Islam and Contemporary Family Life
Before class read: Juz’ 25-26-27 (Sûrah 42:1 - 57:29) Read two issues of the magazine Al Jumuah (copies will be provided).
Before class write: Meditation on the Qur'an. (Essay #7) Post a 400-600 word essay based on the two issues of AL JUMUAH that you have read. your essay may be directed toward your general impression of the magazine, some are of family life or even the advertisements, but your essay is to have substance and relevance to our understanding of Islam. Do not simply post a few ideas of the top of your head.
During class: Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings. Bring Qur'an to class. Presentation and discussion of the Qur'an postings. video "The World of Islam (4): Orient/Occident," Films for the Humanities.
No Class Monday, April 11 – Holy Week
No Class Monday, April 25 – Easter
Class #12, Monday, May 2 – Current Trends in Islam (1)
Before class read: Juz’ 28-29-30 (Sûrah 58:1 - 114:6.) Farah Chapter 15: Current Trends; Chapter 16: Perspectives on Activist Islam
Before class write: Meditation on the Qur'an. (Essay #8) Essay on Farah.
During class: Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings. video "The World of Islam (6): Islam Today," Films for the Humanities
Class #13, Monday, May 9 – Current Trends in Islam (2)
Before class read: John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed. Who Speaks For Islam? Chapters 3-5, pp 65 to the end.
Before class write: (Essay #9) Select one of the chapters of Who Speaks For Islam? (radical, women, coexistence) Write a 400-600 word essay on the relation between Christianity, Islam, and the topic you have chosen.
During class: Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings.
Class #14, Monday, December 4, 2008 – Conclusions
Before class read: Review all Assignments
Before class write: (Essay #10) Post a 800-1000 word concluding essay. You may use this essay to explore a topic of Islam that is of particular interest to you or some element of comparison between Islam and Christianity or a summary of how the course has altered your thinking towards Islam. The assignment is broad enough to include any of these topic but write an essay that will be interesting and helpful to the other participants in the course.
During class: Presentation and discussion of the MOODLE postings. Formulate conclusions. Implications of the study of Islam for the Catholic Faith. Testament of Dom Christian De Cherge. Review of the online course survey. Process comments. Written evaluation for Saint. Meinrad administration.
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© Copyright: Tom Richstatter, Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist, Cincinnati Ohio, Order of Friars Minor. All Rights Reserved. This page was created by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M. Every effort has been, and is being made, to acknowledge sources when the ideas are not my own. Any failure to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code) will be corrected immediately should I become aware of it. This site was updated on 07/29/10 . Your comments on this site are welcome at tomrichs@psci.net.