RS 319 - Islam

This course is an introduction to Islam. Topics include the life of Muhammad, the Qur’ān, the development of Islamic ritual and doctrine, religious law (the sharī’a) and mysticism (Sufism). On the basis of secondary as well as primary readings, the course will address issues of identity (“What makes a Muslim?”), authority (“Who can speak for Islam?”) and the role of religion in the public sphere (“Does Islam require to be expressed politically?”). We will examine the ways Muslims as well as non-Muslims have tried to answer these fundamental questions in different places, times and social contexts.

Prerequisites: A 100-level Religious Studies course.

Full course
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