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Fall 2015/Sacramento

MR550

Tieszen

MR550: INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM (4 Units: 160 hours). Charles Tieszen.

DESCRIPTION: A foundational course, covering the emergence and development of Muslim faith and practice by journeying through Islam’s defining stages of development. The course will look at Islam’s main components both thematically as well as by an exploration of its varieties of expression. Implications for Christians living and working among Muslims, as well as for the advancement of good Christian-Muslim relations will remain the driving concerns.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By taking this class, students will (1) Acquire an authentic insider’s understanding of Islam as a basis for further specialized study and ministry; (2) Overcome prejudices and assumptions resulting from misinformation today between Christians and Muslims globally; (3) Develop a faithful Biblical way to think and act Christianly towards Islam and Muslims.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets once per week for four-hour sessions, except during Thanksgiving week, for a total of 36 hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion plus 4 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING: 1,384 pages.

Mattson, Ingrid. The Story of the Qur’an: Its History and Place in Muslim Life. 2^nd ed. Wiley-Blackwell, 2013. ISBN: 978-0470673492, Pub. Price $29.95 [312 pp.].

Renard, John, ed. Islamic Theological Themes: A Primary Source Reader. University of California Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-0520281899, Pub. Price $39.95 [480 pp.].

Rippin, Andrew. Muslims: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. 4^th ed. Routledge, 2012. ISBN: 978-0415489409, Pub. Price $45.95 [368 pp.].

Tieszen, Charles. A Textual History of Christian-Muslim Relations. Fortress Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-1451490268, Pub. Price $44.00 [224 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING AND REFERENCE WORKS:

Guillaume, Alfred. The Life of Muhammad: A Translation of Ibn Ishaq’s Sīrat Rasūl Allah. Oxford University Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-019630331, Pub Price $55.95.

Kateregga, Badru D., and David W. Shenk. A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue. Herald Press, 1980, 1997. ISBN: 978-0836190526, Pub. Price $14.00.

Reynolds, Gabriel Said. The Emergence of Islam: Classical Traditions in Contemporary Perspective. Fortress Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0800698591, Pub. Price $35.00.

Yusuf Ali, A. An English Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an. Lushena Books, 2001. ISBN: 978-193009769, Pub. Price $10.95.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,384 pages required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2]. [80 hours].

2. Write a 500-word interactive review on each of the required readings (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2]. [16 hours].

3. Along with the class, visit SALAM mosque for a guided tour. Write a 750 word reflection essay based on your visit (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3]. [4 hours of DLAs].

4. Write two 1,500-word research essays on the following questions: 1) “Who is Muhammad and What Say You about Him?” and 2) “What do the Qur’an and Jesus Mean for Muslims and Christians?” Each essay must represent Muslim perspectives honestly and accurately as well as demonstrate your ability to critical engage the topic. You must also demonstrate your ability to begin to use Islamic sources (i.e., Qur’an, Hadith, and Sira) and to engage the themes in such a way as to suggest how bridges can be built between Christians and Muslims based on your study of the topics. (60%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3]. [24 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C1 or C2 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets 144 MDiv core requirement in Missions (MIN 8). Meets globalization (GLBL) requirement for SOT MA programs. Required in Islamic Studies emphasis. Serves as a course substitute for MB501.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.