Details for Introducing Islam

Awards offering Introducing Islam

This unit is offered as a part of the following awards:

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This course unit will provide an in-depth introduction to Islam.  It will provide students with the historical background and information necessary for understanding the complex cross-currents of Christian-Muslim Relations in contemporary society.

Outcomes

Students should be able to:

• describe the key persons, events and movements in the history of Islam
• demonstrate knowledge of the central elements of Islamic faith and practice counter popular stereo-types about Islam with accurate information
• counter popular stereo-types about Islam with accurate information
• show a capacity to engage in a dialogue with Muslims in an informed, respectful and sensitive  way.
• appreciate the role and contribution of Islam to world history

Subject Content

1. Pre-Islamic Arabia
2. The life of the Prophet Muhammad
3. The Development and Expansion of Islam
4. The Holy Quran and the Sunnah (traditions)
5. The Five Pillars of Islam and the Shariac (Islamic Law)
6. Contemporary reform movements in Islam
7. Christian-Muslim Relations through the centuries
8. Particular topics e.g. women in Islam, “fundamentalism”,  Sunni,  Shia, Sufism   

This course may be offered in the following formats

Classroom, intensive, multi-streaming, languages other than English and distance learning modes.

Please consult your course prospectus or enquire about how and when this course will be offered next at Alphacrucis College.

Required Equipment

Overhead projector, DVD projector

Assessment Methods

Essay (60% 3000 words); Tutorial presentation (20% 1000 words); Report on Visit to a Mosque (20% 1000 words)

Representative References

Abdullah Saeed. Interpreting the Qur'an: Towards a Contemporary Approach. London, New York: Routledge, 2006.
Abdullah Saeed. Islam in Australia. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin, 2003.
Armour Sr., Rollin. Islam, Christianity, and the West. Edited by Paul F. Knitter, Faith Meets Faith Series. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002.
Armstrong, Karen. Islam - A Short History. London: Phoenix Press, 2001.
Berkey, Jonathan P. The Formation of Islam: Religion and Society in the near East, 600-1800. Edited by Patricia Crone, Themes in Islamic History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Esack, Farid. The Qur'an: A User's Guide. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2005.
Esposito, John L. Unholy War - Terror in the Name of Islam. Oxford / New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
Goddard, Hugh. "A History of Christian-Muslim Relations." In Islamic Surveys, edited by Carole Hillenbrand, Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2000.
Hussain, Jamila. Islamic Law and Society - an Introduction. Sydney: The Federation Press, 1999.
Kaltner, John. Islam - What Non-Muslims Should Know. Edited by John B Cobb Jr., Facets Series. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003.
Latifa. My Forbidden Face - Growing up under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story. London: Virago Press, 2002.
Reza Aslan. No God but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2006.
Saikal, Amin. Islam and the West - Conflict or Cooperation? Houndmills, Hampshire and New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.