Spring 2020/Fuller Online

MR555

Travis

MR555: POPULAR ISLAM IN PRACTICE (4 Units: 160 hours). John Jay Travis.

DESCRIPTION: While official or orthodox Islam revolves around five basic practices and six theological beliefs, the realm of popular Islam brings a number of additional spiritual beliefs and practices into this mix. These unofficial, supernaturally oriented beliefs and practices are often referred to as popular or folk Islam. This course offers students a chance to explore this largely unseen world as it is practiced by millions of Muslims today worldwide. The course will also examine Islamic mysticism and Sufi influenced religious groups. The course is designed as well to help students develop a biblical response to popular Islamic beliefs and practices, becoming familiar with key ministry models such as prayer for physical healing, inner healing and freedom from evil spirits. Numerous case studies from Indonesia to North Africa will be examined.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) become familiar with core beliefs and practices found in different expressions of popular (folk and/or mystical) Islam; (2) Develop a biblical perspective and response to popular Islam; (3) Gain familiarity with various models of witness and ministry related to popular Islamic beliefs and practices.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Addresses MAICS PLO4 “Students will have demonstrated capacities to pursue vocations that engage the mission of God globally.” Addresses MAT PLO4 “Students will have demonstrated academic capacities appropriate to an area of focus in a theological discipline or to interdisciplinary theological study.”

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online forum discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1200 pages required. If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

El-Zein, Amira. Islam, Arabs, and Intelligent World of the Jinn (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East). Syracuse University Press, 2009/2017. ISBN: 978-0815635147, Pub. Price $24.95 [248 pages].

Musk, Bill. The Unseen Face of Islam. Monarch Books, 2005. ISBN: 978-1854246042, Pub. Price $15.99 [320 pp.].

Parshall, Phil.Bridges to Islam: A Christian Perspective on Folk Islam. IVP Books, 2007. ISBN: 978-0830856152, Pub. Price $19.00 [159 pp.].

Selected required articles listed in syllabus [100 pp.].

350 additional pages on topics related to popular Islam (see suggested reading list).

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Instructional online videos. [10 hours].
1,200 pages of required reading. See books listed above and the suggested reading list. [This assignment relates to all learning outcomes]. [82 hours]. This assignment is assessed through the weekly forum posts and a list showing the books and articles you have read, submitted along with your final research paper – see below #3 and #6.
One weekly forum post of 250 words (30% of final grade) and two weekly post responses of 125-words each (20% of final). [This assignment is related to all three learning outcomes] [20 hours]. Weekly forum posts will be due on Thursday of each week by 11:59 pm PST. Responses to forum posts are due on Saturday night of each week by 11:59 pm PST.
Directed Learning Activity (DLA) fieldwork - This activity (DLA) will consist spending a minimum of five hours of field work / community interaction with one or more Muslims. The goal is to develop relationship as well as to discern, based on your interactions, to what extent the Muslim(s) you meet with believe in or practice the expressions of popular Islam we have discussed in class. You may work with other students in the class if they are available. Be creative and enjoy this learning activity! (10% of overall grade – evaluated through the DLA write up – see #5 below). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [10 hours].
Write up of DLA fieldwork (non-research writing) - This paper, 1,250 words in length, is a write up of your DLA experience. At least half of this paper should explore to what extent the Muslim(s) you spent time with believe, follow or are familiar with popular Islamic beliefs and practices. This paper should include insights and reflections from Scripture, class video lectures and class readings. (10% of overall class grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1. [8 hours].
Research writing - A 3,000-word paper focusing on an aspect of popular Islam or on one’s personal ministry context (current or upcoming) if involved in Muslim ministry. (30% of grade). [This assignment, depending on the topic chosen, could relate to any or all of the class learning outcomes]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet requirement in the 80 MAICS (2017).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.