Spring 2015/Fuller Online

MR552

Reisacher

 

MR552: HISTORY OF THE MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN ENCOUNTER (4 Units: 160 Hours). Evelyne Reisacher.

 

DESCRIPTION: This course examines Muslim-Christian relations since the inception of Islam to the present days, with examples from around the world. It analyzes case studies, events, key people who shaped the relations between Christians and Muslims and suggests how their legacy affects current interactions between Muslims and Christians. This course also allows students to discover a variety of models and principles of Muslim and Christian relations, with attention given to the diverse life-contexts. Students will be given the opportunity to examine their own relationship to the Muslim world and how it affects their interactions with Muslims. Particular historical, ecclesiological, and theological issues will be addressed and guidelines for practical encounters will be formulated.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course, students should be able to demonstrate: 1) A critical understanding of the historical development of Muslim-Christian relation; 2) Self-critical thinking about their own encounters with Muslims; 3) Ability to use principles from past Muslim-Christian interactions that can inform present decisions; and 4) The skills necessary to communicate ideas and arguments in the new contexts of the 21st century.

 

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, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. 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.

 

REQUIRED READING: 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. [1033 pp., 65 hours].

Goddard, Hugh. History of Christian-Muslim Relations. Edinburgh, UK: Edinburgh University Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-1566633406, Pub. Price $16.95 [224 pp.].

Jabbour, Nabeel T. The Crescent through the Eyes of the Cross: Insights from an Arab Christian. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2008. ISBN: 978-1600061950, Pub. Price $14.99. [272 pp.].

Kateregga, Badru D., and David W. Shenk. A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue. 2nd ed. Herald Press, 2012, ISBN: 978-0836196191, Pub. Price $14.99 [220 pp.].

Reisacher, Evelyne A., ed. Toward Respectful Understanding and Witness Among Muslims: Essays in Honor of J. Dudley Woodberry. William Carey Library, 2012. ISBN: 978-0878080182, Pub. Price $16.79. [317 pp.].

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 250-word weekly forum posts (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1 and 3] [10 hours].

  2. 250-word weekly forum responses (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1 and 3 [10 hours].

  3. 5-page report on personal interactions with Muslims during the quarter (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 2] [20 hours].

  4. Research and write a 3,500 word paper (double-spaced) that examines historical or current Muslim-Christian encounters (40%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome 4] [35 hours].

  5. Class activities including video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and personal research [20 hours].

  6. 1133 pp. of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcome 1,3 and 4] [65 hours].

 

PREREQUISITES: None.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C3 requirement in the 120 MDiv program. Option in the Islamic Studies emphasis.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.