<\/p>\n
St. Robert\u2019s Hall 354
\nSection 2: Tuesdays, 7:15 to 9:45 pm<\/p>\n
Professor:<\/strong><\/p>\n Amir Hussain \u201cTell them that I have always tried not to have just members of a group \u2014Christians, or Muslims, or Canadians\u2014 but the whole world\u201d. Course Description:<\/strong><\/p>\n This course will introduce graduate students to the Islamic religious tradition, and to the study of interfaith dialogue. The first part of the course will be an introduction to Islam and the lives of Muslims. We will then move to the study of interfaith dialogue for the second part of this course. That will involve a close reading of the work of Wilfred Cantwell Smith, one of the major scholars of religion and interfaith dialogue in the twentieth century. The final part of the course will involve students in the seminar directing the discussion to issues that are important to them.<\/p>\n Student Learning Outcomes:<\/strong><\/p>\n 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 principles and practice of interfaith dialogue; 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 and written assignments have improved their verbal and written skills.<\/p>\n \u201cRather, his example \u2014what he lived, taught, recommended, and inspired\u2014 was to stay firmly grounded in one\u2019s own tradition (not dogmatically, but honestly, openly), and, from there, to reach across to those in other traditions \u2014to speak to them, to love them, to celebrate life\u2019s personal plurality. To be bettered, not lessened, by differences\u201d. Required Texts:<\/strong><\/p>\n Amir Hussain,\u00a0Oil and Water: Two Faiths, One God<\/em>. Kelowna: Copper House, 2006.<\/p>\n Kenneth Cracknell, Editor,\u00a0Wilfred Cantwell Smith: A Reader<\/em>. Oxford: Oneword Publications, 2001.<\/p>\n Lecture Outlines and Readings Supplied by the Professor.<\/p>\n Evaluation:<\/strong><\/p>\n It is important for each student to know at the outset that this course requires daily reading, two book reviews, a research project and presentation. Moreover, regular class attendance and participation are required. Clear, grammatically correct composition and standard spelling are expected on all written assignments. Written assignments should be proofread and edited before being submitted for grading.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Information on the\u00a0book reviews<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0research project<\/a>\u00a0(which will be on a topic of the student\u2019s choice, in consultation with the instructor) will be provided separately during the course. Regular attendance and timely handing-in of the written assignments are mandatory. The dates for handing-in each assignment are given below. Active class participation will positively affect the student\u2019s final grade. More than one unexcused absence during the semester will negatively affect the student\u2019s grade. The University\u2019s grading policy, including the plus\/minus system, will be used. The University\u2019s policy on Academic Dishonesty will be followed in this course.<\/p>\n Grades will be determined as follows:<\/p>\n 15% A review of not more than 5 pages on the Hussain book. \u201cNormally persons talk about other people\u2019s religions as they are, and about their own as it ought to be\u201d. Schedule of Classes:<\/strong><\/p>\n Schedule of Classes: Jan. 9: \u201cToo much heaven on their minds\u201d. What are we doing in this course and why? Methodological issues in this course. Islam, Muslims and the American media. READING: Photocopied handouts: \u201cAn Accidental Theologian\u201d by Amir Hussain; \u201cRemarks\u201d by Brian Cantwell Smith; \u201cThe Comparative Study of Religion\u201d by Wilfred Cantwell Smith.\u00a0Oil and Water<\/em>, Chapter 1.<\/p>\n Jan. 16: \u201cOther voices, other rooms\u201d. Introducing Islam and Muslims. Seminar projects. Pre-Islamic Arabia to the time of Muhammad. Muhammad: The Beloved Prophet. READING:\u00a0Oil and Water<\/em>, Chapters 2 and 3.<\/p>\n Jan. 23: The Qur\u2019an. READING:\u00a0Oil and Water<\/em>, Chapter 4.<\/p>\n Jan. 30: The religious practices of Islam: The hadith of Gabriel. Islam (submission), Iman (faith) and Ihsan (doing what is beautiful). READING:\u00a0Oil and Water<\/em>, Chapter 5.<\/p>\n Feb. 6: The religious practices of Islam continued: The hadith of Gabriel revisited. Islam (submission), Iman (faith) and Ihsan (doing what is beautiful). READING:\u00a0Oil and Water<\/em>, Chapter 5.<\/p>\n Feb. 13: Book Review Due on<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Oil and Water<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. Video on women in Islam. Women and Islam. The impacts of Feminism on Islam. READING:\u00a0Oil and Water<\/em>, Chapter 7.<\/p>\n Feb. 20: Sufism: The mystical dimension of Islam. READING:\u00a0Oil and Water<\/em>, Chapter 8.<\/p>\n Feb. 27: Contemporary Islam in the United States: Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. READING:\u00a0Oil and Water<\/em>, Chapter 6.<\/p>\n March 6: No Class Due to Spring Break<\/p>\n March 13: The role of Islam in Canada and the United States. The study of Islam after September 11, 2001. Muslim \u2013 Christian Dialogue. READING:\u00a0Oil and Water<\/em>, Chapters 9 and 10.<\/p>\n March 16: Last day to withdraw from classes or apply for credit\/no credit grading<\/p>\n March 20: Wilfred Cantwell Smith: An introduction. READING: \u201cThe Scholar\u2019s Scholar\u201d by William Graham;\u00a0Wilfred Cantwell Smith: A Reader<\/em>: pp. I to 26. Wilfred Cantwell Smith on history and comparative religion. READING: The Historian and The Comparativist.<\/p>\n March 27: Wilfred Cantwell Smith: Theoretical terms. READING: The Critic and The Theorist.<\/p>\n April 3: The place of theology in the study of religion. READING: The Theologian; The Missiologist; and The Prophet.<\/p>\n
\nOffice: University Hall, Room 3724
\nPhone: (310) 338-5987 (or Department of Theological Studies at 338-7670)
\nFax: (310) 338-1947
\nEmail:\u00a0amir.hussain@lmu.edu<\/a>
\nWeb Page:\u00a0http:\/\/myweb.lmu.edu\/ahussain\/<\/a>
\nOffice Hours: Tuesdays, 1:30 to 6:30 pm; Thursdays, 1:00 to 2:00 pm<\/p>\n
\n\u2014Wilfred Cantwell Smith to CSUN, 2000<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u2014Brian Cantwell Smith on his father, 2000<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n15% A review of not more than 5 pages on the Smith reader.
\n40% A research project of not more than 20 pages.
\n30% Seminar participation.<\/p>\n
\n\u2014Wilfred Cantwell Smith, 1962<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n