THEOREL 106

Islam and the Contemporary World

Please note: this is archived course information from 2021 for THEOREL 106.

Description

An introduction to Islam as a living and multifaceted tradition within our contemporary world with particular attention to Islam in New Zealand and Australia. The course begins with an analysis of this context. It turns then to an overview of the Qur’an, locating the beginning of Islam in 7^th century Arabia with the life of the Prophet Muhammad. A particular emphasis will be the development of early philosophical and theological schools of thought (e.g. Sunni and Shia), kalaam (dialectical theology) and falsifa (philosophy); and Sufism as the mystical tradition within Islam. The course then turns toward contemporary issues such as the relevance and value of Islamic Law (Sharia); Democracy and Islam (including issues surrounding minority and migrant rights, particularly in post-colonial contexts); and “Islamic” concepts of family (including women and gender). The purpose of the course is to introduce students to Islam as a living and multi-faceted tradition within our contemporary world with particular attention to Islam in New Zealand and Australia.

This course will be of interest to those who have never studied Islam before as well as those who may be adherents of Islam but have never studied it formally.

Assessment: Coursework and Exam

Availability 2021

Semester 1

Lecturer(s)

Coordinator(s) Dr Zain Ali

Reading/Texts

William Shepard, Introducing Islam (Routledge) 2^nd edition.

Points

THEOREL 106: 15 points

Restrictions

THEOLOGY 106, 106G