Winter 2018/Fuller Online

MR574

Reisacher

 

MR574:  MUSLIM PEOPLES: SOCIOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL APPROACHES (4 Units: 160 Hours).  Evelyne A. Reisacher.

                                                                             

 

DESCRIPTION: This is a foundational course introducing students to sociological and anthropological studies of Islam. They will explore factors other than religion and common historical reference which influence and shape Muslim societies. They will look at the social organization within Muslim societies and the impact of culture on Muslim peoples. They will address issues such as “Is there a Muslim Society?” or “Is the veil defining Muslim women?” After exploring the ways early Islam interpreted cultural and social structures, students will analyze various factors that help us understand Muslim peoples in the present day, such as modernity, secularism, globalization, economic trends, local customs, and social practices. As they study the work of anthropologists and sociologists, students will become familiar with new methodologies for observing Muslim peoples. They will also discover the diversity of Islamic societies and the transformation they undergo. This class addresses as well the advantages and disadvantages of integrating these approaches to Christian mission and how they influence Christians’ respectful witness to Muslims.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) describe Islamic societies from a sociological and anthropological perspective; (2) identify sociological and anthropological tools to research Muslim societies; (3) be aware of the diversity of social and cultural expressions of Islam around the world; and (4) understand how the gospel relates to Muslim peoples.

 

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: 1,060 pp. required

Esposito, John L. and Dalia Mogahed. Who Speaks for Islam?: What a Billion Muslims Really Think. Gallup Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-1595620170, Pub. Price $22.95 [203 pp.]

Marranci, Gabriele. The Anthropology of Islam. Berg Publishers, 2008. ISBN: 978-1845202859, Pub. Price $35.95 [224 pp.]

Reisacher, Evelyne A., Joyful Witness in the Muslim World, Sharing the Gospel in Everyday Encounters. Baker Academic, 2016. ISBN: 978-0801030840, Pub. Price $22.99 [224 pp.]

Reisacher, Evelyne A., ed. Dynamics of Muslim Worlds: Regional, Theological, and Missiological Perspectives. InterVarsity Press, 2017. ISBN: 978-0830851010, Pub. Price $32.00 [241 pp.]

Sociological and anthropological journal articles (references listed in the syllabus) [350 pp.]

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,200 pp. of required reading [60 hours].
2. Viewing lectures, videos, and PowerPoint presentations [15 hours].
3. Weekly reading reports that demonstrate engagement with the required reading (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 2, 3 and 4] [15 hours].
4. 350-word weekly forum posts and responses (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1, 3 and 4] [15 hours].
5. Three 700-word reflection papers on sociological and anthropological methods and tools. (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome 2] [20 hours].
6. 4,000-word paper in which the student presents his or her research on a Muslim society (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1 and 2] [35 hours].

 

PREREQUISITES:  None.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:  Option to meet requirement in the MAICS (2017). Option to meet the C1 or C2 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MA Programs (Fall 2015). Serves as a course substitute for MB501.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION:  None.