The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
Mattson
The Prophet
Muhammad is believed by Muslims to be the final prophet of God and
the model for their lives as individuals and communities. Through
translated selections of original historical sources, the course will
survey interpretations of the personality and achievements of the
Prophet made by Muslim and non-Muslim scholars. Muslim emulation of
the Prophet will be examined with reference to the Hadith literature
and devotional prayers.
Hadith
Mattson
The Hadith
is that corpus of Islamic literature that purports to convey the words
and deeds of the Prophet Muhammad via individual reports, which are
guaranteed by a chain of transmitters. It is viewed by Muslims as
vitally important for law, practice and moral teachings. As a result,
it has become a subject of learned dispute between orientalist scholars
who often deny its traceabilty to the Prophet and thus its validity,
and Muslims who generally insist on its excellence and accuracy. This
course will, among other things, cover the following topics: the importance
of Hadith and its historicity; the isnad system by which the degrees
of authenticity of different Ahadith are determined; and Hadith criticism.
The Qur’an and Its Place in Muslim Life and Society
Mattson
As the
sacred scripture of Islam, the Qur’an has primary authority in
the way Muslims understand their faith. The course will examine Islamic
concepts of the Qur’an as divine revelation and guidance. Major
Qur’anic themes will be studied in English translation, with
reference to classical and contemporary Muslim commentaries. Attention
will be paid to ways in which the Qur’an functions as sacred
scripture in Muslim history and contemporary life, examples of which
will include Muslim communities in the U.S.
Islamic History I
Mattson
This
course will explore the history of Islamic civilization from its beginnings
in seventh century Arabia until the establishment of the Ottoman Empire
in the fifteenth century. Attention will be given to the structure
of political institutions, the changing nature of the caliphate, as
well as social trends and important cultural developments. Students
will read selections of important primary sources in translation,
such as Arabic and Persian poetry, Mawardi’s Ordinances of Government,
Ibn Battuta’s Travels, and Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddima.
Introduction to Islamic Law
Mattson
This
course is an introduction to the history and practice of Islamic law.
During the first part of this course, the sources of Islamic law,
the formation of Islamic jurisprudence and the history of Islamic
law in society will be examined. In the second part of the course,
contemporary issues and developments in Islamic law will be explored.
Islamic Ritual and Family Law
Mattson
Islamic
law regulates the way in which the primary rituals and acts of worship
– prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage – are performed. The law
also provides a structure for the way in which Muslims experience
important rites of passage: birth, death and marriage. As an integrated
system of beliefs and values, this law further provides meaning and
context for many other aspects of human life, including how to slaughter
an animal and what to do in times of severe weather. This course will
explore the structures created by Islamic law for the ritual and family
lives of Muslims. Although the theoretical context for the legal structure
will be provided, the focus of the course will be on the practical
and performative aspects of the law.
The Practice of Christian-Muslim Dialogue in Europe and North
America
Breiner
As a
result of the growth of Muslim communities throughout North American
and Europe, many Christian and Muslim organizations are in the process
of developing resources and policies for Christian-Muslim dialogue.
This course will examine the range of contemporary literature and
practical guidelines that have emerged from Christian denominations
and ecumenical bodies, and from Muslim organizations. The course will
identify major issues that need to be addressed by both communities
as they seek to strengthen relationships for dialogue.
Introduction to Arabic, Parts I and II
Blackburn
A basic
introduction to spoken (Egyptian) and written (standard) Arabic which
assumes no prior knowledge of the Arabic language.
Intermediate Arabic, Parts I and II
Blackburn
This course is designed to supplement students' basic knowledge
of modern Arabic with classical grammar and vocabulary in preparation
for work with Islamic theological and legal texts. Prerequisite:
Introduction to Arabic, Parts I and II, OR permission of the instructor.
Readings in Arabic Texts
Mattson
The aim of this course is to improve students' reading fluency in
classical Arabic. Students will read selections of Islamic religious
texts including tafsir, hadith, and usul al-fiqh.
