MR550/650: Introduction to Islam (4 units)

Martin Accad, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies
Fall 2007 Pasadena

 

 

DESCRIPTION:

A foundational course, covering the emergence and development of Muslim faith and practice by journeying through original Islamic sources, particularly the Qur’an and Hadîth. The course will look at Islam’s varieties of expression, with some attention to its development in parallel with Christianity and Judaism. Implications for Christians living and working in Muslim contexts will be reflected upon.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

§       Acquire an authentic insider’s understanding of Islam as a basis for further specialized study and ministry

§       Overcome prejudices and assumptions resulting from misinformation today between Christians and Muslims globally

§       Develop a faithful Biblical way to think and act Christianly towards Islam

 

COURSE FORMAT: Class meets once each week for 3 hour sessions.

 

REQUIRED READING:   If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

  1. Goldziher, Ignaz. Muslim Studies. Edited by S.M. Stern, translated by C.R. Barber and S.M. Stern, with a major new introduction by Hamid Dabashi (original German Edition, 1890). Aldine Transactions. New Jersey: 1966; Transaction Publishers, 2006.
  2. Rippin, Andrew. Muslims: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. 3rd edition. New York: Routledge, 2001, 2005.
  3. Chapman, Colin. Cross and Crescent: Responding to the Challenge of Islam. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
  4. Peters, F.E., ed. A Reader on Classical Islam. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1994.
  5. Qur'an. Preferably the translation of A. Yusuf Ali or A. J. Arberry (Macmillan).

 

RECOMMENDED READING: Materials on the CD: “The World of Islam: Resources for Understanding.”

§       Kateregga, Badru D, and David W. Shenk. A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue. Scottdale: Herald Press, 1980, 1997.

Note: Kateregga and Shenk, the Qur’an trans. Yusuf Ali, plus many other books, articles, maps, and pictures are included in the CD: “The World of Islam: Resources for Understanding” Colorado Spring.

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

  1. A 250-word Interaction Report on Dabashi’s extensive Introduction to Goldziher’s Muslim Studies (due by the beginning of the 2nd session of the course). Focus on various approaches that Orientalists and Islamicists have had in their study of Islam. Reflect on your own existing attitude and where you would like to find yourself by the end of the course.
  2. A 250-word Interaction Report on each of required books 2 and 3 (Due December 7, 2007).
  3. Write a 4,500-word Paper in which you evaluate either: (1) a major historical or theological theme comparatively and critically between Islam and Christianity (Kateregga/Shenk is particularly relevant here as a guide to these topics), or (2) one major Islamic school or sect in historical and theological perspective. In either cases, you will need to reflect missiologically and suggest how bridges can be built between Christians and Muslims based on your study of the topic (Due December 7, 2007).
  4. Th.M. Students only: Write a 5,000-word Christian theology of Islam, focusing on either Muhammad, the Qur’an or Muslim devotion, reflecting a profound biblical and theological perspective that does justice to history from an insider’s understanding of Islamic issues (Due December 7, 2007).

 

FINAL EXAM: None.

 

PREREQUISITES: None.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

Foundational course for Islamic Studies concentration. Meets Min 8 requirement for M.Div. Program. Meets Globalization requirement for M.A. Theology Program. Meets GLBL requirement for Master of Arts in Worship, Theology and the Arts. Meets Multicultural requirement for Master of Arts in Worship, Theology and the Arts.

 

Last Date Edited: 20 August 2007