Z Islamic Traditions Z

Winter 2006 MWF 9, Bldg 387-101
Office Hours: M 3:30-4:30, W 12-1 Office: HSSB 3054

E-Mail: jcampo@religion.ucsb.edu Phone: 893-3945

DESCRIPTION

This course is an introduction to the religion of Islam. It surveys the histories, ideas, and practices of the three chief “modes” through which it has been transmitted to the modern era: Sunni, Shi`i, and Sufi. It does this by studying Islam in relation to its origins in the Middle East, its indigenization in South Asia, and its growth in America. Its relations with other religions are also examined. Through this course students will obtain knowledge about the key features of Islamic belief and practice, Islam’s historical development as a world religion, and the variety of ways in which it has been conceived and practiced by Muslims. They will also develop skills for critically interpreting and appreciating Islamic texts.

Because this course is being offered at a time when Muslims and their religion have once again become so visible on the global and national scene, a special effort will be made to explore the ways in which course topics elucidate current events and help make them more intelligible.

MATERIALS

Required

Campo, A Reader on Islam (at GrafikArt)

Denny, Introduction to Islam

Al-Ghazali, Al-Ghazali’s Path to Sufism

Nomani, Standing Alone in Mecca

Sells, Approaching the Qur’an

Williams, The Word of Islam

One of the following for a book essay:

Nafisi, Reading Lolita in Tehran

Mamdani, Good Muslim, Bad Muslim

Shadid, Night Draws Near

All required texts except the Reader are available at the Davidson RBR. Additional course-related materials are posted on the ERES: http://eres.library.ucsb.edu/eres/courseindex.aspx?error=&page=search. Password: constitution.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Being up-to-date with readings and other assignments.
2. Class discussions & attendance at 2 UCSB CMES events 20%

3. Map assignment 10% Due 1/27

4. 3 Interpretive Essays 30% Due 2/3, 2/22, 3/8

5. Book Essay 10% Due 3/17

6. Final Examination 30% 3/22

Ø The Discussion grade is based on contributions to classroom sessions, small group discussions, and discussion notes. A list of UCSB CMES events will be posted on the ERES and distributed in class.

Ø Requirements for the Map Assignment are provided in the Reader.

Ø The Interpretive Essays will be based on assigned selections of Islamic literature. The Book Essay is a critical assessment of one of the three books listed above. The Essays will be 2-3 pages each. They are due on the dates specified. Papers will be penalized 1 point for each day late. Additional criteria will be provided.

Ø The Final Exam will be comprehensive. There shall not be makeups for the final without prior permission from the professor.

Lectures & Readings

I. INTRODUCTION

II. BEGINNINGS - The Near Eastern Matrix (Jan 11-18)
Reading: Denny, ch 1 & 2

*JANUARY 16: MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

III. BEGINNINGS – God, His Prophet and the Book (Jan 18-Feb 6)

A. Muhammad and the First Muslims

Reading: Denny, ch 3

Williams, pp. 36-53

*al-Tabari, "Muhammad’s First Revelations from God"

*Ibn Ishaq, “Night Journey & Mi^`raj;” “The ‘Constitution’ of Madina”

B. The Noble Qur’an

Reading: Sells, Introduction, Glossary, pp. 145-204

Denny, ch 6

Sells, pp. 41-141

Williams, ch 1

C. The Sunna of the Prophet

Reading: Denny, ch 7

Williams, pp. 56-65

*Hadith of Gabriel

IV. THE MAKINGS OF SUNNI & SHI`I ISLAMIC TRADITIONS (Feb 6-22)

A. Islamic Conquests and Empires
Reading: Denny, ch 4

Williams, pp. 53-56

*Campo, “Islam in the Middle East” (pp. 27-34 in the article)

*Endress, “Languages, Names & the Calendar of Islam”

B. Sunni Islam: Ritual, Belief & Law

Reading: Denny, chs 5 & 9

Williams, ch 3 & pp. 163-67

*FEBRUARY 20: PRESIDENTS DAY

C. Shi`i Alternatives

Reading: *Richard, “A Few Words about Shi`ism”

Williams, pp. 170-72, 187-210

*Betteridge, “Women and Shrines in Shiraz”

V. SUFI MYSTICISM & ISLAMIC TRADITIONS IN SOUTH ASIA (Feb 22-March 6)

A. Sufi Saints and Paths

Reading: Denny, chs 10 & 11

Williams, ch 4

B. Intellectual Sufism: Al-Ghazali

Reading: Al-Ghazali

C. Islam at Home in South Asia

Reading: *Embree, “The Foundations of Islam in India”

*Ernst, “India as a Sacred Islamic Land”

*Eaton, “Who Are the Bengal Muslims?”

*Ernst, “A Woman Saint: Bibi Jamal Khatun”

Nomani, pp. 1-32

VI. ISLAMIC TRADITIONS IN MODERNITY & IN AMERICA (March 6-15)

A. Tradition, Revival & Reform

Reading: Denny, ch 14 and pp. 340-50

*Campo, “Islam in the Middle East” (pp. 35-43)

Nomani, pp. 35-164

B. Muslims in and of America

Reading: Denny, pp. 350-62

Nomani, pp. 167-239

*Mernissi, “The Koran”

VII. CONCLUSION: ISLAM IN THE POST-9/11 WORLD (March 15-17)

Reading: Denny, ch 16

Nomani, pp. 243-291

FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, 22 March 2006, 8-11 am