Classroom: University Hall 3222
CRN: 74205, Section 1
Tuesdays, 7:15 to 9:45 pm
Professor: Amir Hussain
Office: University Hall, Room 3724
Phone: (310) 338-5987 (or Department of Theological Studies at 338-7670)
Email: amir.hussain@lmu.edu
Web Page: http://myweb.lmu.edu/ahussain/
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 4:00 to 7:00 pm and by appointment on other days
Course Description:
This course will introduce students to the contemporary Islamic religious tradition. It will focus on the ways in which different Muslim groups have understood Islam and what it means to be Muslim. There has been a tremendous increase in interest about Islam and Muslims since the attacks on September 11, 2001. After the attacks, there was more coverage about Islam than ever before in the American news media. We will begin the course by discussing how the news media constructs reality. Then we will start our study of contemporary Islam by examining some of the relationships between “Islam” and “the Modern World”. We will start with some methodological issues: What is “Islam”? What is “the Modern World”? How can these phenomena be studied? In this section of the course we will discuss some of the major reformers of Islam in the modern world. The next section of the course will discuss feminism and its impacts on Islam and modernity. The fourth section of the course will focus on contemporary Muslim religiosity and activity outside of North America, particularly in the conflict zones of the Tenth Parallel between Muslims and Christians. The final section of the course will discuss the role of Islam in the United States and Canada. The last two weeks of the course will be devoted to student seminar presentations about their research.
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this course students will 1) demonstrate that they will think both empathetically and critically about Islam and Muslims; 2) demonstrate knowledge of the histories and cultures of the Muslim world; 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.
Statement on the University Mission in Relation to Theological Studies:
Courses in the Department of Theological Studies serve the University Mission to encourage learning, educate the whole person, serve faith and promote justice.
Theological Studies courses encourage learning within the intellectual and cultural heritage of the Catholic tradition. They value imagination and intellect, seeking an integration of different kinds of knowledge, and promote ecumenical and interreligious discourse. They seek to educate the whole person and serve faith by an academic exploration of the possibilities, challenges, and ambiguities of faith, in dialogue with the contemporary world. By their structure and content, they strive to promote justice by encouraging students to engage their theological understanding in a broken world.
Theological Studies courses require students to think, speak, write, and reflect critically about the largest questions of human existence. To do this, students are required also to “acquire the arts of precise and elegant expression, a sound and critical grasp of ideas, a familiarity with the modern world’s ways of knowing itself, a personal understanding of this nation’s history and multicultural heritage, and an appreciation of other cultures and societies around the globe.” (University Bulletin)
Theological Studies courses invite students to become more reflective and responsible persons in their own intellectual, ethical, and spiritual development.
Required Texts:
John L. Esposito, The Future of Islam (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010).
Eliza Griswold, The Tenth Parallel: Dispatches from the Fault Line Between Christianity and Islam (New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2010).
Amir Hussain, Oil and Water: Two Faiths, One God (Kelowna: Copper House, 2006).
A copy of each book is on reserve in Reserve Services of the Library.
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 reviews and the research paper (which will be on a topic of the student’s choice, in consultation with the instructor) will be provided separately during the course.
Active class participation will positively affect the student’s final grade. More than one unexcused absence 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 cheating policy will be followed in this course.
Grades will be determined as follows:
15% A Book Review of 5 Pages on the Esposito book, due Feb. 12.
15% A Book Review of 5 Pages on the Griswold book, due March 26.
10% Class Participation.
40% A Research Paper of 15 Pages, due April 23.
20% Seminar Presentation on April 30 or May 7.
Statement on Academic Excellence in Theological Studies:
In keeping with the larger context of LMU’s mission, academic excellence is grounded in critical thinking, moral reflection, and articulate expression (both in written and oral form). Such critical thinking, reflection, and expression are rooted in the discipline of academic work. Critical thought and reflection, as well as the ability to articulate one’s beliefs clearly and thoughtfully, are the result of disciplined work, which constitutes the necessary condition for academic achievement.
The Department of Theological Studies maintains high expectations for academic excellence. Students in Theological Studies courses are expected to be engaged listeners and careful readers as well as to write and speak cogently about substantive theological matters. They are expected to understand and analyze pertinent primary texts, scholarly literature, and non-textual sources (such as rituals and the arts), and to assimilate lectures on complex topics. Moreover, students are expected to generate their own questions about the material under consideration, questions appropriate to the sub-field that they are studying and which reflect a firm grasp of the basic course content and methodological approach.
Courses in Theological Studies may require approximately 150 pages of reading a week and 40 pages of writing over the course of the semester. Moreover, class attendance, preparation, and participation are not optional, but essential. Faculty are not required to prepare detailed “study guides” that repeat or summarize class and lecture content, nor are they required to prepare students for quizzes or exams beyond the content of the course lectures. Grading standards are high for all courses in Theological Studies.
Americans with Disabilities Act:
Students with special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act who need reasonable modifications, special assistance, or accommodations in this course should promptly direct their request to the Disability Support Services Office. Any student who currently has a documented disability (physical, learning, or psychological) needing academic accommodations should contact the Disability Services Office (Daum Hall Room 224, 310-338-4535) as early in the semester as possible. All discussions will remain confidential.
Academic Honesty:
Academic dishonesty will be treated as an extremely serious matter, with serious consequences that can range from receiving no credit for assignments/tests to expulsion. It is never permissible to turn in any work that has been copied from another student or copied from a source (including Internet) without properly acknowledging the source. It is your responsibility to make sure that your work meets the standard of academic honesty set forth in the“LMU Honor Code and Process” which appears in the LMU Bulletin 2012-2013.
Tentative Nature of the Syllabus:
If necessary, this syllabus and its contents are subject to revision; students are responsible for any changes or modifications distributed in class or posted on the instructor’s web site.
Schedule of Classes:
Tuesday, Jan. 15: “Too much heaven on their minds”. Introductions. Who are we, what are we doing in this course and why? “Here we are now, entertain us”: Islam, Muslims and the American media.
Tuesday, Jan. 22: Who are Muslims? Basic terms and concepts about Islam. READING: The Future of Islam, introductory materials and Chapter 1.
Tuesday, Jan. 29: Basic issues in political Islam. READING: The Future of Islam, Chapter 2.
Tuesday, Feb. 5: Islamic reformers in the modern world. READING: The Future of Islam, Chapter 3.
Thursday, Feb. 7: The Loyolan’s First Amendment Week panel on religious freedom from 12:15 to 1:15 pm (Convo Hour) in UH 1000.
Tuesday, Feb. 12: America and the Muslim World. READING: The Future of Islam, Chapter 4 and concluding materials. Review of Esposito Book Due.
Tuesday, Feb. 19: Video on women in Islam. Women and Islam. The impacts of Feminism on Islam.
Tuesday, Feb. 26: Women and Islam continued.
Tuesday, March 5: No class due to Spring Break.
Tuesday, March 12: Muslims and Christians in Conflict: Africa. READING: The Tenth Parallel, introductory materials and Part One.
Tuesday, March 19: Muslims and Christians in Conflict: Asia. READING: The Tenth Parallel, Part Two and concluding materials. Friday, March 22: Last day to withdraw from classes or to apply for credit/no credit grading.
Tuesday, March 26: Muslims and Christians in Dialogue: A Common Word. Review of Griswold Book Due.
Tuesday, April 2: Contemporary Islam in the United States: Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam.
Tuesday, April 9: Islam as a North American religious phenomenon: Indigenous and Immigrant Muslims.
Tuesday, April 16: Presentation by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish in The Hill (fourth floor of Malone).
Tuesday, April 23: Islam as a North American religious phenomenon: The Muslim communities of the United States and Canada. Research Paper Due.
Tuesday, April 30: Student Seminar Presentations.
Tuesday, May 7: Student Seminar Presentations.