Fall 2017/Fuller Online

MR556

Johnston

MR556: CURRENT TRENDS IN ISLAM (4 Units: 160 Hours). David L. Johnston

DESCRIPTION: This course aims to expose students to the wide variety of theological and ideological trends among Muslims worldwide, including the way this impacts their spirituality and religious practices. This is done also against the backdrop of political upheavals following the 2011 protests and ensuing civil war in Syria and Libya, and the rise of the “Islamic State.” To understand these dynamics, students will take into account the role of Western colonialism in the region, the emergence of Zionism, the fall of Ottoman Empire, Muslim reform movements, and the ideologies that prevailed in the first decades of the postcolonial era. All of these factors contributed to the shaping of Islamic modernism, reformism, neotraditionalism, and to the ultraconservative beliefs and practices of the Salafis. Finally, students will read about various views taken by missiologists to address these different currents in a missional way.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to (1) explain the implications of the great diversity found in the Muslim world today; (2) describe the historical elements that have led to the current observable trends in Islam; and (3) articulate ways that the Church is interacting and can interact appropriately with contemporary Muslims.

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: 1,058 pp. required.

Afsaruddin, Asma. Contemporary Issues in Islam. Edinburgh University Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-0748632770, Pub. Price $34.95 [208 pp. assigned].

Azumah, John and Peter Riddell. Islam and Christianity on the Edge: Talking Points in Christian-Muslim Relations into the 21st Century. Acorn Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0987132949, Pub. Price $29.95 [67 pp. assigned, available via eReserves].

Cesari, Jocelyne. The Awakening of Muslim Democracy: Religion, Modernity, and the State. Cambridge University Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-1107664821, Pub. Price $35.99 [117 pp. assigned, available via eReserves].

Chapman, Colin. Whose Promised Land? The continuing conflict over Israel and Palestine. 5th revised edition, Lion Hudson, 2015. ISBN: 978-0745970257, Pub. Price $19.95 [277 pp. assigned].

Jabbour, Nabeel T. The Crescent through the Eyes of the Cross: Insights from an Arab Christian. NavPress, 2008. ISBN: 978-1600061950, Pub. Price $14.99 [231 pp. assigned].

Tibi, Bassam. Islamism and Islam. Yale University Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0300159981, Pub. Price $35.00 [52 pp. assigned, available via eReserves].

Additional online articles [106 pp.]

RECOMMENDED READING:

An-Na’im, Abdulli Ahmed. What Is an American Muslim? Embracing Faith and Citizenship. Oxford University Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-0199895694, Pub. Price $29.95 [304 pp.].

Bell, Steve, and Colin Chapman. Between Naivety and Hostility: Uncovering the Best Christian Responses to Islam in Britain. Authentic Media, 2013. ISBN: 978-1850789574, Pub. Price $12.99 [304 pp.].

Qutb, Sayyid. Milestones (Maʿālim fī aṭ-Ṭarīq, 1965). English Edition, Islamic Book Service, 2006. ISBN: 978-8172312442, Pub. Price: $6.50 [160 pp.]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,058 pp. of required reading [75 hours].
2. Weekly video lectures and film clips [20 hours].
3. 250-word weekly forum posts and 150-word forum responses (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1,2,3] [15 hours].
4. Group video presentation on a particular Islamic movement, whether global or local, with an initial appraisal of missional possibilities (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1,2,3] [20 hours].
5. A 1,000-word response to two of the group presentations emphasizing commonalities and contrasts to other presentations, and offering additional ideas on possible Christian responses (5%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1,2,3] [5 hours].
6. A 2500-word written assignment requiring students to provide a Biblical assessment and missiological reflection on a current event, trend or movement within the Muslim world (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [25 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:Meets 144 MDiv core requirement in Missions (MIN 8). Meets SOT MA Globalization (GLBL) requirement. Serves as a course substitute for MB501. Option to meet the C1 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None