Islamic Studies 1

2 credit hours / Summer 2011

Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub 

Course Description 

This course will deal with three major areas of Islamic studies taught by Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub and guest faculty Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmed and Dr. Jasser Auda.

 

(a)    Qur’an and Sunnah (12 hours)

The first part of the course introduces the student to the history and the methods of approaching Quran and Sunna. It has two components: the first one focuses on understanding the Quran: its history, the major themes of the Quran, the different methods of approaching the Quran, the major issues involving the Quran and the contemporary challenges and how to address them. The second component focuses on the Sunna: its history, its relationship with the Quran, the major scholars of Hadith and their contributions, the major issues involving the Sunna historically and their contemporary manifestations; and the appropriate Islamic responses to those contemporary challenges. Each of these two components will take 6 hours in the course of one week.

 

(b)   Islamic History and Civilization (12 hours)

The first component of the second part of this course introduces the student to the context, the essence and manifestations of Islamic Civilization and history. It explores the origins of Islamic civilization in Arabia: its geography, demographics, languages and history, religious traditions and culture. It expounds the concept of Tawhid as the essence of Islam, the core of Islamic civilization. From there it presents the different forms this essence has taken and the different manifestations of it in politics, science, law, literature, arts and architecture as well as philosophy, theology (Kalam) and mysticism (Tasawwuf). The second component addresses the contemporary issues and challenges facing Islamic civilization, particularly in relation to the West, from an Islamic viewpoint. This would include issues such as democracy, human rights, social justice, women’s rights, the environment, etc. Each of these two parts will take 6 hours in the course of one week. (Guest Faculty: Dr. Imad ad-Dean Ahmed)

 

(c)    Introduction of Islamic Jurisprudence (6 hours)

The third part of this course deals with the basic principles of Islamic jurisprudence, the history of Fiqh as a category of thought and practice with a focus on the major schools of Fiqh, both Sunni and Shia, and a reflection on the biographies of the Imams of the major schools of jurisprudence in relation to the political and social dynamics of their times. (Guest Faculty: Dr. Jasser Aouda) 

Islamic Studies II

2 credit hours / Summer 2011

Dr. Louay Safi 

Course Description 

This course will deal with three major areas of Islamic studies taught by Dr. Louay Safi and guest faculty Dr. Jasser Auda and Dr. Muqtedar Khan.

 

(a)    Maqasid ash Shari’ah (6 hours)

The first part of this course introduces the higher principles of Islamic law (Maqasid al Sharia) in general terms and as they apply to contemporary realities. In particular, this unit focuses on the development of an Islamic jurisprudence for minorities (Fiqh al Aqaliyyat). (Guest Faculty: Dr. Jasser Auda)

 

(b)   Contemporary Islamic Thought (12 hours)

The second part of the course introduces the student to the core concepts that inform the contemporary reform trends in Islamic thought. Core concepts such as the Muslim worldview of Tawhid and its implications for contemporary Islamic thought and practice at the individual and societal levels will be presented and explained. Ideas such as the Umma, its historical role and current state will be discussed. Other concepts such as Islah, Tajdeed, Ijtihad and shura will be presented and explained historically and within the contemporary context. The course also introduces the students to Islamic principles and perspectives regarding issues of social justice, freedom, ethics, good governance, equality, protection of life, property and the environment, etc, and how they inform contemporary debates on reform of Islamic thought.

 

(c)    Muslim World Affairs (12 hours)

The third part of this course is meant to provide students with a basic understanding of its contemporary history, its geopolitics, its diverse cultures, languages and ethnic groups. Also, the course introduces the key issues and developments that framed the relationship between the world of Islam and the West, such as the colonial encounter, the capitalist expansion of the West, the emergence of the nation-state and its institutions, the discovery of oil in the Middle East and its implications, the communication revolution and contemporary globalization and their impact on cultures, values and life styles; and finally the US foreign policy towards the Muslim world and its implications. (Guest Faculty: Dr. Muqtedar Khan)

 

Islamic Studies 1

2 credit hours / Summer 2011

Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub 

Course Description 

This course will deal with three major areas of Islamic studies taught by Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub and guest faculty Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmed and Dr. Jasser Auda.

 

(a)    Qur’an and Sunnah (12 hours)

The first part of the course introduces the student to the history and the methods of approaching Quran and Sunna. It has two components: the first one focuses on understanding the Quran: its history, the major themes of the Quran, the different methods of approaching the Quran, the major issues involving the Quran and the contemporary challenges and how to address them. The second component focuses on the Sunna: its history, its relationship with the Quran, the major scholars of Hadith and their contributions, the major issues involving the Sunna historically and their contemporary manifestations; and the appropriate Islamic responses to those contemporary challenges. Each of these two components will take 6 hours in the course of one week.

 

(b)   Islamic History and Civilization (12 hours)

The first component of the second part of this course introduces the student to the context, the essence and manifestations of Islamic Civilization and history. It explores the origins of Islamic civilization in Arabia: its geography, demographics, languages and history, religious traditions and culture. It expounds the concept of Tawhid as the essence of Islam, the core of Islamic civilization. From there it presents the different forms this essence has taken and the different manifestations of it in politics, science, law, literature, arts and architecture as well as philosophy, theology (Kalam) and mysticism (Tasawwuf). The second component addresses the contemporary issues and challenges facing Islamic civilization, particularly in relation to the West, from an Islamic viewpoint. This would include issues such as democracy, human rights, social justice, women’s rights, the environment, etc. Each of these two parts will take 6 hours in the course of one week. (Guest Faculty: Dr. Imad ad-Dean Ahmed)

 

(c)    Introduction of Islamic Jurisprudence (6 hours)

The third part of this course deals with the basic principles of Islamic jurisprudence, the history of Fiqh as a category of thought and practice with a focus on the major schools of Fiqh, both Sunni and Shia, and a reflection on the biographies of the Imams of the major schools of jurisprudence in relation to the political and social dynamics of their times. (Guest Faculty: Dr. Jasser Aouda) 

Islamic Studies II

2 credit hours / Summer 2011

Dr. Louay Safi 

Course Description 

This course will deal with three major areas of Islamic studies taught by Dr. Louay Safi and guest faculty Dr. Jasser Auda and Dr. Muqtedar Khan.

 

(a)    Maqasid ash Shari’ah (6 hours)

The first part of this course introduces the higher principles of Islamic law (Maqasid al Sharia) in general terms and as they apply to contemporary realities. In particular, this unit focuses on the development of an Islamic jurisprudence for minorities (Fiqh al Aqaliyyat). (Guest Faculty: Dr. Jasser Auda)

 

(b)   Contemporary Islamic Thought (12 hours)

The second part of the course introduces the student to the core concepts that inform the contemporary reform trends in Islamic thought. Core concepts such as the Muslim worldview of Tawhid and its implications for contemporary Islamic thought and practice at the individual and societal levels will be presented and explained. Ideas such as the Umma, its historical role and current state will be discussed. Other concepts such as Islah, Tajdeed, Ijtihad and shura will be presented and explained historically and within the contemporary context. The course also introduces the students to Islamic principles and perspectives regarding issues of social justice, freedom, ethics, good governance, equality, protection of life, property and the environment, etc, and how they inform contemporary debates on reform of Islamic thought.

 

(c)    Muslim World Affairs (12 hours)

The third part of this course is meant to provide students with a basic understanding of its contemporary history, its geopolitics, its diverse cultures, languages and ethnic groups. Also, the course introduces the key issues and developments that framed the relationship between the world of Islam and the West, such as the colonial encounter, the capitalist expansion of the West, the emergence of the nation-state and its institutions, the discovery of oil in the Middle East and its implications, the communication revolution and contemporary globalization and their impact on cultures, values and life styles; and finally the US foreign policy towards the Muslim world and its implications. (Guest Faculty: Dr. Muqtedar Khan)