MR556: Current Trends in Islam (4 units)

J. Dudley Woodberry, Dean Emeritus and Professor of Islamic Studies
Winter 2004 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to help students gain an understanding of the basic beliefs and practices which inspire and guide the Islamic resurgence today. Consideration is given to the impact of colonialism, Western ideas, independence and petrodollars, terrorism, and the unity and variety of the responses to these stimuli together with their implications for a Christian perspective and witness.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Develop an understanding of the varieties of Muslims today.
• Develop an understanding of how the Church is and can minister relevantly among contemporary Muslims.

COURSE FORMAT:

Class meets daily as a one-week intensive for lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING:

Esposito, John L. The Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
Kurzman, Charles, ed. Liberal Islam: A Sourcebook. New York: Oxford Univ Press, 1998.
Rippin, Andrew. Muslims: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. 2^nd edition. New York: Routledge, 2001. (Those who have had Intro. to Islam, only parts 5 and 6.)
Zebiri, Kate. Muslims and Christians Face to Face. Oxford: One World, 1997.

RECOMMENDED READING (for areas of special interest):

Ayubi, Nazih. Political Islam: Religion and Politics in the Arab World. New York: Routledge, 1991.
Dabashi, Hamid. Theology of Discontent: The Ideological Foundations of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. New York: New York University Press, 1993.
Esposito, John L., and John O. Voll. Makers of Contemporary Islam. New York: Oxford, 2001.
Gladney, Dru C. Muslim Chinese: Ethnic Nationalism in the People's Republic. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1991.
Haddad, Yvonne Yazbeck, et al., eds. The Contemporary Islamic Revival: A Critical Survey and Bibliography. New York: Greenwood Press, 1991.
Haynes, Jeff. Religion and Politics in Africa. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Zed Books, 1996.
Isaacson, Jason F. and Colin Rubenstein, eds. Islam in Asia. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 2001.
Johnstone, Patrick. Operation World. 6th ed. Waynesboro, GA: Paternoster Lifestyle, 2001.
Larson, Warren F. Islamic Ideology and Fundamentalism in Pakistan: Climate for Conversion to Christianity? Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1998.
Musk, Bill. Passionate Believing. Tunbridge Wells: Monarch Publ, 1992.
Nielson, Jørgen N. Muslims in Western Europe. Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh Press, 1992.
Rashid, Ahmed. The Resurgence of Central Asia: Islam or Nationalism? Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Zed Books, 1994.
Smith, Jane I. Islam in America. New York: Columbia U.P., 1999.
Vertovec, Steven, and Ceri Peach, eds. Islam in Europe. New York: St. Martins Press, 1997.
Voll, John O. Islam: Continuity and Change in the Modern World. 2^nd ed. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 1994.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Write a two page interaction report on each required book that reflects on ethical, Christian, and/or missiological implications of two or more ideas in the book.
2. Write a 10 to 15-page paper in which you develop a Christian and/or missiological perspective on a specific group of contemporary Muslims (identified by their ideology, region, ethnicity, or other characteristics).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets Min 8 requirement for M.Div. Program. Meets Globalization requirement for M.A. Theology Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

Last Date Edited: November 20, 2003