CM 6425-S6: CHRISTIAN FAITH AND MUSLIM WORLD

Spring Semester 2008 (Second Six Weeks)

Time: Monday: 1:10-4:00 p.m.

Room: Gullixson 306

Professor: Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali

Office: 210F Northwestern, ext. (641-3)523

Office hours: Wednesdays 10:45-12:30 and by appointment

Course Description

An introduction to:

1. The foundations of Islam: Muhammad, Qur’an and the sources of Islamic faith, its theology, law, etc.;

2. Muslim religious outlook and its politico-cultural expressions;

3. The relationship of Christian faith to Muslim faith and culture, and the historical ebb and flow of this relationship over the last fourteen hundred years;

4. The shape of the present worldwide Muslim-Christian encounter; and

5. The challenge as well as the so-called "threat" of Islam.

Expectation, Assignments and Grading

Students are expected to attend classes regularly and participate in the discussions.

This will count for 25% of the grade.

Presentation on the section of reading listed below.

· This 2-3 page (absolutely the maximum) presentation should outline the argument of the author in the section under consideration; critically analyzing the logic and argument of the author from within the field of the study itself; and only then should you finally give your opinion on the subject matter under discussion.

· Please make copies of your presentation available to the members of the class by Sunday 5:00 p.m.

This presentation will constitute 25% of the grade.

There will be a final paper of 8-10 pages (absolutely the maximum).

· The paper is to be a detailed outline of a course for an adult Sunday class in your church, introducing Islam and the theological issues for Christian faith raised by Islam. Thus the outline is not only to introduce Islam but should also act as an occasion for a good catechetical review of our own theological and doctrinal issues. So your note taking skill is very necessary for this class as is your participation in the discussions and raising pertinent questions in the class for clarification and information.

· These papers are due on May 16 latest, except for the graduating students for whom it is due on May 14 at 9:00 a.m. because their grades are due on May 16 at 9:00 a.m. for their graduation requirement. These dates are not negotiable.

This will constitute 50% of the grade.

Required Texts:

1. John Kaltner, Islam: What Non-Muslims Should Know (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003).

2. C.T.R. Hewer, Understanding Islam: An Introduction (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006).

3. An Interpretation of the Qur’an, English Translation of the Meaning: A Bilingual Edition, translated by Majid Fakhry (New York: New York University Press, 2004)

Course Schedule

Week 1 – April 7:

· Introduction of the class participants;

· The motivating concerns of the students; and

· An over all introduction to the subject matter.

Readings: Genesis 12:1-13:1; 15:1-18:15; 20:1- 21:21; 22:1-19, 23; and 25:1-18; Gal. 3:15-18, and 4:21-5:1; and Heb.1: 1-4

Week 2 – April 14: Kaltner, Islam: pp. ix-72.

· The pre-Islamic background: A possible explanation for the expansion of Islam; and

· Life of Muhammad and the early period of Islam

Presentation: ________________________________________

Week 3 - April 21: Kaltner, Islam: pp. 73-132.

· The Period of the caliphs and the expansion of Islam; and

· The challenge of Islam

Presentation: ________________________________________

Week 4 – April 28: Hewer, Understanding Islam, chapter 1, 2, 3, pp. 1-59

· The attraction of Islam; and

· The threat of Islam

Presentation: ________________________________________

Week 5 – May 5: Hewer, Understanding Islam, chapters 4, 5, 6 & part of ch 8 pp. 60-115 & 138-145

· Religious ecumenism and plurality of faiths

· Islam as our neighbor.

Presentation: ________________________________________

Week 6 – May 12: Hewer, Understanding Islam, part of ch 8 and chapters 9 & 10, pp. 145-228

· The contemporary Western societies; and

· Contemporary Islam and Christianity

Selected Bibliography & References

I have very carefully selected some sample texts, which deal with some introductory elements of Islam and given their call numbers from our library.

1. Al-Faruqi, Isma’il R., Islam (Niles, Ill.: Argus Communication 1979) [LST Call Number BP 161.2.F33]

2. Frederick Mathewson Denny, An Introduction to Islam, second edition (New York: Macmillan Publishing Company, 1994) [LST Call Number BP161.2.D458]

3. C. George Fry & James R. King, Islam: A Survey of the Muslim Faith (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1980) [LST Call Number BP161.2.F79]

4. Getz, Irene R., Islam: An Introduction for Christians (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1994) [LST Call Number BP161.2.W27 pt.2]

5. Guilllaume. Alfred, Islam (Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1956 [LST Call Number BP 161.2.G85]

6. Hitti, Philip Khuri Islam, A Way of Life (Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Press 1970) [LST Call Number DS36.8.H55]

7. Hans Küng and Jürgen Moltmann, eds., Islam, a challenge for Christianity (London: SCM Press; Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1994) [LST Call Number BP172.I77]

8. Machatschke, Roland, Islam (London: SCM Press; Valley Forge, Pa.: Trinity Press International, 1996) [LST Call Number BP 161.2.M23]

9. Martin, Richard C., Islam: A Cultural Perspective (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1982) [LST Call Number BP161.2.M27]

10. Paul Varo Martinson, editor, Islam: An Introduction for Christians (English translation of Was jeder vom Islam wissen muss) (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1994) [LST Call Number BP161.2.W27 pt.1]

11. Rahman, Fazlur, Islam (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979) [LST Call Number BP161.2.R28]

12. Robinson, Neal, Islam: A Concise Introduction (Surrey, Eng.: Curzon Press, 1999) [LST Call Number BP161.2.R62]

13. Ruthven, Malise, Islam: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 1997) [LST Call Number BP161.2.R868]

14. Schimmel, Annemarie, Islam: An Introduction (Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1992) [LST Call Number BP55.S34]

15. R. M. Savoy, ed., Introduction to Islamic Civilization (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1976) [LST Call Number DS36.85.I57]