Fall 2013/Fuller Online
MR557
Reisacher
MR557: WOMEN AND THE FAMILY IN ISLAM. Evelyne A. Reisacher.
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) know the essential Qur’anic texts dealing with women, as well as selected texts of the Hadith and Shariah Law; (2) identify the issues that Muslim women face and locate them in historical and cultural contexts; (3) be aware of the variety of interpretations concerning the status of Muslim women given by Muslims and Christians; and (4) reflect missiologically on women’s issues in Islam.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will be conducted online using a 10-week lesson program aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. Each week students and the instructor will interact with the material provided to the class through video and audio presentations examining historic and contemporary roles of women in Islam. This interaction will be through journaling, threaded discussions, and web-based research.
REQUIRED READING:
Adeney, Miriam. Daughters of Islam: Building Bridges with Muslim Women. InterVarsity Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0830823451, Pub. Price $16.00 [224 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.].
Tucker, Judith E. Women, Family, and Gender in Islamic Law. Cambridge University Press, 2008. ISBN:978-0521537476, Pub. Price $34.99 [268 pp.].
Wadud, Amina, Qur’an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman’s Perspective. Oxford University Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0195128362, Pub. Price $19.99 [144 pp.].
Other readings available on-line (Moodle)
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Weekly Threaded Discussions, Journaling, Web-based research. (40%).
A 6-page interaction paper, double-spaced, reflecting critically on how the 1500 pages of reading applies to the student’s context. (20%).
A 12-15 page term paper, double-spaced, on an approved topic related to the course. (40%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Serves as a course substitute for MB501.
FINAL EXAM: None.