Fuller Online
MR557: Winter 2008
Reisacher

THIS ECD IS FOR WINTER 2008 QUARTER ONLY!

If you are viewing this after JANUARY 2008 it serves as a SAMPLE ONLY

MR557: WOMEN IN THE MUSLIM FAMILY (4 units).

Evelyne A. Reisacher, Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies

---

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:

· Know the essential Qur’anic texts dealing with women, as well as some texts of the Hadith and Shariah Law

· Identify the issues that Muslim women face and locate them in historical and cultural contexts

· Be aware of the variety of interpretations concerning the status of Muslim women given by Muslims and Christians

· To reflect missiologically on women’s issues in Islam.

COURSE FORMAT:

The class will be conducted on the Internet 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. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2002.

· Ahmed, Leila. Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1992.

· Bodman, Herbert L. and Nayereh Tohidi, eds. Women in Muslim Societies: Diversity within Unity. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1998.

· Glaser, Ida, and Napoleon John. Partners or Prisoners: Christians Thinking about Women and Islam. Carlisle, UK: Solway, 1998.

· Stowasser, Barbara Freyer. Women in the Qur'an, Traditions, and Interpretation. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1996.

RECOMMENDED READING:

· Cate, Mary Ann, and Karol Downey, eds. From Fear to Faith: Muslim and Christian Women. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2003.

· Esposito, John L., with Natana J. DeLong-Bas. Women in Muslim Family Law. 2nd ed. Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2001.

· Haddad, Yvonne Yazbeck and John L. Esposito, eds. Islam, Gender and Social Change. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.

· Love, Fran, and Jeleta Eckheart. Longing to Call Them Sisters: Ministry to Muslim Women. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2000.

· Mallouhi, Christine. Mini-Skirts Mothers and Muslims: A Christian Woman in a Muslim Land. Grand Rapids, MI: Monarch Books, 2004.

· Mernissi, Fatima. Beyond the Veil: Male-Female Dynamics in a Modern Muslim Society. Revised Edition. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1987.

· Wadud, Amina. Qur’an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman’s Perspective. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1999.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Weekly Threaded Discussions, Journaling, Web-based research.

2. A 6-page interaction paper, double-spaced, reflecting critically on how the 1500 pages of reading applies to the student’s context.

3. A 12-15 page term paper, double-spaced, on an approved topic related to the course.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Ministry Focus Studies in MA in Global Leadership degree.

FINAL EXAM: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification Updated October 2008