THST 398 Muslim/Jewish Theology

 

Classroom: UH 1866
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:50 am to 12:05 pm

Professor: Amir Hussain

Office: University Hall, Room 3724
Phone: (310) 338-5987 (or Department of Theological Studies at 338-7670)
Fax: (310) 338-1947
Email: amir.hussain@lmu.edu
Web Page: http://myweb.lmu.edu/ahussain/
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Course Description:

This course is an introduction to Jewish and Muslim traditions in contact and dialogue. This dialogue will be modeled in the class by Professor Hussain and Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, the Hillel Director of UCLA. While Professor Hussain is the instructor of record for the course and will do all of the grading, he and Rabbi Seidler-Feller will team-teach the course. Rabbi Seidler-Feller’s office is UH 3723, and his LMU phone number is 310-338-2855. He can also be reached at his UCLA office, 310-208-3081 (ext. 103), or via email at chaimsf@ucla.edu.

The course begins with an introduction to the historical evolution, the fundamental doctrines and beliefs, the practices, institutions and cultural expressions of both religious traditions. From this basic introduction to Judaism and Islam, there will be a close reading of primary texts from both traditions. This will be followed by a discussion of issues in comparative theology between the two traditions. The last few weeks of the course will be devoted to student seminar presentations about their research on Muslim/Jewish theology.

Student Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this course students will 1) demonstrate that they will think both empathetically and critically about Jews and Muslims; 2) demonstrate knowledge of the histories and cultures of Judaism and Islam; 3) demonstrate that they have the ability to interpret texts and other cultural phenomena (such as rituals, myths, architecture) that have religious presuppositions or implications; 4) demonstrate that they will think both empathetically and critically about conflicting religious claims; and 5) through class participation, seminar presentation and written assignments have improved their verbal and written skills.

Prerequisites / Recommended Background:

No prerequisite.

Required Texts:

Al-Qur’an: A Contemporary Translation, translated by Ahmed Ali, Princeton University Press, 2001.

Tanakh: The Jewish Scriptures, Jewish Publication Society, 1985.

Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Sabbath, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.

Amir Hussain, Oil and Water: Two Faiths, One God, Copper House, 2006.

Louis Jacobs, The Book of Jewish Belief, Behrman House Publishing, 1984.

Please bring the Tanakh and the Qur’an to each class meeting. We will read the Heschel and Jacobs books from Jan. 21 to Feb. 4, and the Hussain book from Feb. 9 to 23. There may also be other course readings distributed in class.

Evaluation:

It is important for each student to know at the outset that this course requires daily reading, written assignments and a seminar presentation. Moreover, regular class attendance and participation are required. Clear, grammatically correct composition and standard spelling are expected on all written assignments.

Information on the book review, the reflection on a religious service, the research paper (which will be on a topic of the student’s choice, in consultation with the instructor), and the seminar presentation (which will be on the student’s research paper) will be provided separately during the course. Active class participation will positively affect the student’s final grade. More than two unexcused absences during the semester will negatively affect the student’s grade. The University’s grading policy, including the plus/minus system, will be used. The University’s policy on Academic Dishonesty will be followed in this course.

Grades will be determined as follows:

15% A review of not more than 5 pages on the Heschel book, due Feb. 16.

10% A reflection paper of not more than 3 pages on a synagogue or mosque visit, due March 16

40% A research paper of not more than 15 pages, due April 13.

20% A short presentation of your research project to the class, April 15 to 29.

15% Class participation.

Schedule of Classes:

Tuesday, Jan. 19: “Too much heaven on their minds”. Introductions. Who are we, what are we doing in this course and why?

Thursday, Jan. 21: Chaim introduction to Judaism. Begin reading both Jacobs and Heschel books

Tuesday, Jan 26: Chaim introduction to Judaism

Thursday, Jan. 28: Chaim introduction to Judaism

Tuesday, Feb. 2: Chaim introduction to Judaism. Evening talk by Greg Mortensen on Afghanistan

Thursday, Feb. 4: Chaim introduction to Judaism

Tuesday, Feb. 9: Amir introduction to Islam. Begin reading Oil and Water

Thursday, Feb. 11: Amir introduction to Islam

Tuesday, Feb. 16: Book Review Due on Heschel Book. Amir introduction to Islam

Thursday, Feb. 18: Amir introduction to Islam

Tuesday, Feb. 23: Textual Comparisons: Abraham and the Binding/Sacrifice

Thursday, Feb. 25: Textual Comparisons: The Stories of Joseph, David and Bathsheba: Prophets, Kings and Queens

Tuesday, March 2: Holy War: Jihad, Just War, Religious Violence and Terrorism

Thursday, March 4: (Chaim away). Out of Cordoba: Film by Jacob Bender on Maimonides and Ibn Rushd

Tuesday, March 9: (Chaim away). Muslim Art, Music, Mysticism and Material Culture

Thursday, March 11: (Chaim away). Anti-Judaism in Islam

Tuesday, March 16: Reflection Paper Due on Attending a Muslim or Jewish Service. Conversations about religious services. Religious extremism

Thursday, March 18: (Amir away). Anti-Islam in Judaism

Tuesday, March 23: Women’s roles and sexuality in Judaism and Islam

Thursday, March 25: (Amir away). Jewish Art, Music, Mysticism and Material Culture

Tuesday, March 30: Spring Break, no class

Thursday, April 1: Spring Break, no class

Tuesday, April 6: Last Day of Passover, No class

Thursday, April 8: (Amir away). Voices of Peace: Perspectives on Confrontation and Reconciliation in the Arab-Israeli Conflict

Tuesday, April 13: Research Paper Due. Voices of Peace continued. What can we Learn From Each Other: Contemporary Anti-Judaism and Islamophobia

Thursday, April 15: (Amir away). Seminar Presentations

Tuesday, April 20: Seminar Presentations

Thursday, April 22: Seminar Presentations. Evening Lecture with Rabbi Gary Greenebaum

Tuesday, April 27: (Amir away). Seminar Presentations

Thursday, April 29: Seminar Presentations. Last Class