RELS 206 has not been developed with the purpose of trying to defend or criticize Islam, nor is it meant to convince you of the validity of certain religious beliefs at the expense of others. The academic study of religion is in part about placing religious traditions in their proper socio-historical and economic contexts so we can better understand the growth and internal diversity of religious systems over a lengthy period of time. Doing so enables the individual to develop a real sensitivity to and understanding of the beliefs of religious practitioners without losing the analytical and critical methodology upon which the study of religion is built. The goal of Religious Studies 206, then, is to provide you with a strong, basic knowledge about Islam that will help you understand the historical, ritual, theological, and political manifestations of Islam and the diversity of voices and opinions within this religious tradition.
Outline
Unit 1: A Brief History of Islam
Unit 2: Pre-Islamic Arabia
Unit 3: The Prophet Muhammad
Unit 4: The Qur’ān
Unit 5: The Five Pillars of Islam
Unit 6: The Sunnah of the Prophet—The Prophet as Moral Exemplar
Unit 7: The Sharī‘ah
Unit 8: Philosophy and Theology
Unit 9: Shī‘ism
Unit 10: Sufism
Unit 11: Islamic Responses to Modernity
Unit 12: Women in Islam
Unit 13: Islam in a Global and Post 9/11 World
Evaluation
Students must hand in all their assignments by the end of the stipulated contract date and complete the exam with a passing grade of D (50 percent) or higher.
In order to pass the course, students must hand in their assignments, pass the exam, and achieve a composite grade of D (50 percent) or higher between the exam and the assignments.
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
10%
Assignment 2
15%
Assignment 3
15%
Assignment 4
20%
Final Examination
40%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Ayoub, Mahmoud M. Islam: Faith and History. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2004. (Print)
Quinn, Anthony, Irene Pappas, Michael Ansara, and Johnny Sekka. The Message: The Story of Islam, (Online Video). Directed by Moustapha Akkad. Filmco International Productions, 1976. (Streamed video)
Other Materials
All other materials are available online through the course home page or the Digital Reading Room.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.