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THEOREL 106

Islam and the Contemporary World

Semester 1, Mondays 2-4pm, Wednesdays 2-3pm

Course outline is available here THEO 106G course outline 2017.pdf

Description

Since the religion of Islam has become a very significant aspect of contemporary global and local societies, this course seeks to introduce students to an understanding of key aspects of Islam and an analysis of its significant contribution to New Zealand society as well as to societies and cultures across the world.

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to Islam as a living and multi-faceted tradition within our contemporary world with particular attention to Islam in New Zealand and Australia.The course begins with an analysis of this context. It turns then to an overview of the Qur’an, locating the beginning of Islam in 7th century Arabia with the life of the Prophet Muhammad. A particular emphasis will be the development of early philosophical and theological schools of thought (e.g. Sunni and Shia), kalaam (dialectical theology) and falsifa (philosophy); and Sufism as the mystical tradition within Islam.  The course then turns toward contemporary issues such as the relevance and value of Islamic Law (Sharia); Democracy and Islam (including issues surrounding minority and migrant rights, particularly in post-colonial contexts); and “Islamic” concepts of family (including women and gender). 

This course will be of interest to those who have never studied Islam before as well as those who may be adherents of Islam but have never studied it formally.

Topics covered may include:

  • Faces of Islam in contemporary New Zealand
  • God and the Quran
  • Muhammad
  • Theological and Philosophical Debates (Freewill vs Predetermination, Faith vs Reason)
  • Sharia, Secularism and Democracy
  • Mysticism - Sufism
  • Feminism and Islam
  • Minorities and Migration
  • War and the logic of terror
  • Islam and New Zealand

Lecturer(s)

Coordinator(s) Dr Zain Ali

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, the student should be able:

  • to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the life of Muhammad and the origins of Islam
  • to discuss the development of the early schools of Islamic philosophy and theology
  • to critically discuss the relevance and value of Islamic law
  • to have an understanding of Islamic mysticism and its place in our current setting
  • to discuss contemporary scholarly debates on the place of women in Islam
  • to be able to analyse the current debate on the relationship between Islam and democracy
  • to have an understanding of contemporary approaches to interpreting the Quran
  • to develop an informed perspective by engaging with the course readings
  • to present a brief analysis in short essay form demonstrating understanding

Reading/Texts

William Shepard, Introducing Islam (Routledge, 2014).

Assignments

  1. Quiz [On CANVAS] 20% total grade. Due: 10 April - 21 April
  2. 2000-word essay 30% total grade. Due: 22 May
  3. 2-hour examination 50% total grade. Date: TBA

Points

THEOREL 106: 15.0 points

Restrictions

THEOLOGY 106, 106G

Course summary:

Date Details Due