DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to help students gain an understanding of the background and basic beliefs and practices of the various manifestations of Islam today. Consideration will be given to the impact of colonialism, Western ideas, Zionism, the emergence of the nation-state, the abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate, and other developments in the twentieth century, and the unity and diversity of the responses to these stimuli across the world. Responses that will be studied include modernism, revivalism, fundamentalism, radicalism, and liberalism. The implications of these trends for a Christian understanding and praxis will be explored.

1. Develop an appreciation for the diversity that exists in the Muslim world today

2. Come to an understanding of the historical elements that have led to the current observable trends in Islam

3. Explore ways that the church is interacting and can interact appropriately with contemporary Muslims

The class will be conducted on the Internet using a 10-week lesson program aligned with Fuller's academic calendar. Weekly interaction includes forums and wiki contributions in Moodle, as well as other occasional group assignments.

Esposito, John L., and John O. Voll. Makers of Contemporary Islam. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. 272 pages. ISBN: 9780195141283. Pub. Price: $30.00.

Jabbour, Nabeel T. The Crescent through the Eyes of the Cross: Insights from an Arab Christian. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2008. 272 pages. ISBN: 9781600061950. Pub. Price: $14.99.

Mandryk, Jason. Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation. 7th rev. ed. Biblica Publishing, 2010. 1012 pages. ISBN: 9781850788621. Pub. Price: $18.99 (CD-Rom also acceptable).

1. Complete regular reading assignments each week in a timely manner in preparation for forum contributions and other group assignments (these readings, taken from the required list as well as elsewhere, will be assigned by the professor through Moodle).

2. Take part actively in the forum conversations on Moodle. The nature and manner of participation will be clarified at the start of the course and will vary from week to week, but on average, each student will be expected to contribute one new forum entry and to respond to two of their peers' forum entries each week.

3. 3500 to 4000 words contributed to a final group wiki that will serve as the final assignment, in which students will develop the profile of a specific country or cluster of countries in a specific assigned region, including its history, significant movements and figures, then provide a Biblical assessment and missiological reflection on their subject.