Islamic Humanities

Objective:

This is an undergraduate-level introductory course on Islamic Studies that provides a foundation in the rigorous study of the Islamic tradition. Commonly believed to be the domain of orientalists, revisionists, and modernists, this course will explore multiple perspectives on core issues and discussions in contemporary Islamic Studies.
The Fall semester will examine methodologies for the study of Islam and then turn to explore the major fields of Islamic study: Beliefs, Quran and Revelation, Prophecy, Hadith & Sunnah, and Islamic Law. The Spring semester will then turn to disciplines and networks of learning and practice by exploring Islamic practices, spirituality, scholarly learning and Muslim communities. The course will conclude by analyzing 19th and 20th century movements in Islamic thought marked by colonialism, modernism, reformism, and secularism and critically engage their critiques of the Islamic tradition.

Required Texts: None, course materials will be provided by the teacher.