George Dardess
In this course we will strive to reach an informed, sympathetic understanding of Islam that will not only bring us closer to our Muslim sisters and brothers, but that will also enable us to look at our own Christian faith with fresh eyes.
a) Basic sources, beliefs, practices of Islam; historical development, especially in relation to Christianity and to the secular West.
b) Half presentation; half discussion of assigned theological reflections.
• making this reevaluation the basis for improved pastoral practice (in answering questions about Islam, stilling fears, etc.);
• encouraging deeper engagement in Muslim-Christian dialogue.
6. Specific learning outcomes
• Students will achieve familiarity with the Qur’an sufficient to allow them to discuss knowledgably those key verses pertaining to themes, practices, beliefs, and personages that are important also to Christianity (creation, daily prayer, Mary, Jesus, etc.)— as well as to verses that have become controversial in the context of current events (on jihad, on the treatment of women, etc.);
• Students will acquire an accurate understanding of the role of the Qur’an and the Sunna in Islam as well as of the life of the Prophet Muhammad and of the historical development of Islam;
• Students will be able not only to recognize their misconceptions about Islam, but also— and even more importantly— to allow Islam to become for them a means of clarifying and enhancing their own Christian faith.
7. Readings
• Assigned:
Hakeem, M.A.S. Abdel, tr. The Qur’an: A New Translation. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. (Oxford World Classics series)
Sells, Michael. Approaching the Qur’an: Early Revelations
Armstrong, Karen. Islam: A Short Introduction. New York: The Modern Library, 2000.
Dardess, George. Meeting Islam: A Guide for Christians. Orleans, MA: Paraclete Press, 2005.
• Recommended:
Safi, Omid. Progressive Muslims on Justice, Gender, Pluralism. Oxford: Oneworld, 2003.
Dardess, George. Do We Worship the Same God? The Bible and the Qur’an Compared. Cincinnati: St Anthony Messenger press, 2006.
Dunne, John S. The Way of All the Earth. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co.,Inc, 1972.
Tyerman, Christopher. God’s War: A New History of the Crusades. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2006.
Sells, Michael. Early Islamic Mysticism: Sufi, Qur’an, Mi’raj, Poetic and Theological Writings. New York: Paulist Press (Classicis of Western Spirituality series), 1996.
Sells, Michael. Approaching the Qur’an: The Early Revelations. Ashland, Oregon: White Cloud Press, 1999.
Nasr, Vali. The Shi’a Revival: How Conflicts within Islam will Shape the Future. New York and London: W. W. Norton & Company, 2006.
Mernisi, Fatima. The Veil and the Male Elite. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. 1987.
Students will be asked to observe prayer at the Islamic Center.
10. Grading
papers: 70%
participation: 20%
exam: 10%
11. Complete Course Outline
Session #1: The Prophet Muhammad and Islam
In class:
• Explanation of goals and methods of the course; nature of the challenges to this study; discussion of the purpose and Biblical warrant for “passing over” (as defined by John S. Dunne in The Way of All the Earth).
• Viewing of PBS video: “Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet.”
• Background presentation on the historical context in which Islam arose; life of the Prophet; the Hijra; Hadith; Sunnah; transformation of the meaning of “islam.”
Reading and Writing Assignments for Next Session:
Reading assignment for session #2:
Dardess, introduction, v-xiv, and Chapter One, 1-22 (Islam and “Thy Will be Done”) and Five (Muhammad and the Virgin Mary)
Armstrong, 3-23
Cleary, 137-164 (Meccan Suras).
Writing assignment for Session #2:
First reflection paper, on “islam.”
Session #2:The Qur’an
In class:
• Presentation of the Qur’an, its similarities and differences from the OT and NT; analysis of an early (Meccan) sura, with examples of tajwid chanting of that sura (from DVD included in Michael Sells’ Approaching the Qur’an).
• Discussion of assigned reflection paper on “islam.”
Reading and Writing Assignments for Next Session:
Reading assignment for session #3:
Dardess, Chapter Two (The Qur’an and the Word of the Lord)
Armstrong, 22-65
Cleary, introduction, vii-xviii, 1-18 (Medinan Suras).
Writing assignment for Session #3:
Second reflection paper, on “Qur’an.”
Session #3: Ramadan and Hajj
In class:
• Presentation of the historical development of Islam after the death of the Prophet in 632CE to the zenith of Abbasid period (early ninth century); Shi’as and Sunnis.
• The great festivals of Ramadan, their meaning and practice;
• Viewing of “Virtual Hajj” from PBS video “The Legacy of Muhammad.”
• Discussion of second reflection paper on “Qur’an.”
Reading and Writing Assignments for Next Session:
Reading assignment for session #4:
Dardess, Chapters Six (Ramadan) and Seven (Hajj)
Haleem, Sura 2 (The Cow), esp vv 83-88 in context.
Armstrong, 65-77.
Writing assignment for Session #4:
Third reflection paper, on “Ramadan and Hajj.”
Session #4: Jesus (Ysa), Mary, and the Trinity
In class:
• Presentation of Qur’anic treatment of Jesus, Mary, and the Trinity;
• Presentation of esoteric movements, including Shi’s sectarianism, Falsafah, and Sufism;
• Discussion of assigned reflection paper on “Ramadan and Hajj.”
Reading and Writing Assignments for Next Session:
Reading assignment for session #5:
Dardess, Chapter Nine (Ysa and Jesus)
Haleem, Sura 5 (The Feast), noting the way references to Jesus/Ysa at the end of the sura emerge from previous themes; find “Jesus” in Haleem’s index and read other references to Jesus in the Qur’an.
Armstrong, 81-138
Writing assignment for Session #5:
Fourth reflection paper, on “Ysa and Jesus.”
Session #5: Jihad
In class:
• Islam and the West; the Crusades; Dante’s Divine Comedy and Islam.
• Discussion of assigned reflection paper on “Ysa and Jesus.”
Reading and Writing Assignments for Next Session:
Reading assignment for session #6:
Dardess, Chapter Eight (Jihad)
Haleem, Sura 9 (Repentance— forms of “jahada” occur at v 16,19, 20,24, 27, 41, 73, 86, 88; but be sure to evaluate these usages in context); read/evaluate other occurrences of forms of “jahada” at 9:20 and 81; 22:78; 25:52; 29:69
Writing assignment for Session #6:
Fifth reflection paper, on “Jihad.”
Also: Preparation for One Hour test on content material covered in class (review notes)
Session #6: Islam vs the West?— What is the Christian Response?
In class:
• One-hour test on content material covered in class
• Presentation of key material in remainder of Armstrong (138-187)— not assigned: look it over if you have time.
• Discussion of assigned reflection paper on “Jihad.”