Fall 2020/Fuller Online

MR557

Meulenberg

MR557: WOMEN AND THE FAMILY IN ISLAM (4 Units: 160 Hours). Michal Meulenberg

DESCRIPTION: This course examines the varieties of identities and roles of women in historic and contemporary Islam as evidenced by the Qur'an, the Traditions, the Law, and current writings and experience, and the implications of these for interacting with Muslims. Some of the topics dealt with are the religious and social role and status of Muslim women in various cultures, their place in the family, their participation in Muslim societies, and the current debates about gender issues in Islam. The course will also cover various Christian perspectives on Muslim women. The class will also provide insight for students who are or will be interacting with Muslim women.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to (1) identify and assess the essential Qur’anic texts dealing with women, as well as selected texts of the Hadith and Shariah Law; (2) identify the opportunities and issues that Muslim women face and locate them in historical and cultural contexts; (3) describe the variety of interpretations concerning the status of Muslim women given by Muslims and Christians; and (4) describe the types of current conversations about faith with Muslim women.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Addresses the MDiv PLO that states “Students will have demonstrated capacities to engage diverse cultural contexts for transformational discipleship, mission, and ministry.” Addresses the MATM/MAT PLOs that state “Students will have demonstrated capacities for historically informed theological and ethical reflection.” Addresses MAICS Area of Interest Class “Students will have demonstrated capacities to pursue vocations that engage the mission of God globally.”

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 discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning. This course modality provisions a fully asynchronous structure enhanced with optional synchronous meeting times. Although it does not require synchronous meeting times, faculty may provide one or more opportunities for live interaction scheduled to support represented time zones.

REQUIRED READING: 1120 pp. required.

Abu-Lughod, Lila. Do Muslim Women Need Saving? Harvard University Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-0674088269. Pub. Price $20.50. [336 pp.]

Ahmad, Leila. Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate. Yale University Press, 1993. ISBN: 978-0300055832, Pub. Price $22.00. [304 pp.]

Hidayatullah, Aysha. Feminist Edges of the Qur’an. Oxford University Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-0199359578, Pub. Price $29.95 [288 pp.]

Mallouhi, Christine. Mini-Skirts, Mothers and Muslims: A Christian Woman in a Muslim Land. Monarch Books, 2004. ISBN: 978-0825460517, Pub. Price $12.99 [192 pp.].

Several articles available on eReserves.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,120 pages of required reading. [65 hours] [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, and 4].
2. Two hours per week of instruction through online class activities such as video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, documentaries, etc. [20 hours]
3. 250-word weekly forum posts (15%). [10 hours] [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, and 3]
4. Two 250-word weekly forum responses (15%). [2 hours] [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, and 3]
5. Interview two or more Muslim women [8 hours total] [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 3, and 4].
6. A 750-word report on the interview of two or more Muslim women (25%) [15 hours] [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 3, and 4].
7. A 3000-word research paper on a chosen topic (45%). [40 hours] [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Serves as a course substitute for MB501. Option to meet the C5 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.