HSY3275 - Islam: principles, civilization, influence

Leader: Constant J. Mews

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit examines the evolution and influence of Islam as a religion and civilization, with particular emphasis on the principles underpinning Islamic law and theology and Islamic civilisation in its classic phase. It examines core themes in the Qur'an, writings about the Prophet, and early works of Islamic history and literature. Particular attention will be given to Islamic jurisprudence and enquiry, as well as to the different ways in which these principles were interpreted in practice in different schools of Islamic law, and the way in which Islamic civilization responded to non-Islamic communities and cultural traditions, notably in the caliphates of Cordoba and of Baghdad. It will consider the writings of great thinkers and mystics, as well as of historians like Ibn Ishaq and Ibn-Khaldun.

Objectives

Students successfully completing HSY3275:

1. Will have acquired a broad knowledge of the core principles articulated in the Qur'an and in other early Islamic writings.
2. Will be familiar with the evolution of Islamic civilization, from the early period to the great age of the caliphates of Cordoba and Baghdad, and subsequent crisis provoked by the Mongol invasions, up to the beginnings of the Ottoman Empire.
3. Will be familiar with the major debates in the field of Islamic studies about the reasons for Islam's expansion during the first seven centuries of its existence, and the way it interacted with non-Islamic communities and culture.
4. Will have developed a capacity to work effectively with others and a capacity to express ideas verbally in group situations;
5. Will have developed considerable facility in bibliographic research, analysis, and written expression.
6. Will have chosen their own research topic and completed an original essay on a question of their choice.

Assessment

Primary source exercise (1000 words) : 20%
Essay (2500 words) : 40%
Exam (1000 words) : 30%
Tutorial participation : 10%
Students completing the unit at 3rd year level will have chosen their own research topic and completed an original essay on a question of their choice.

Contact hours

1x90 minute lecture and 1x1 hour tutorial

Prohibitions

HSY2275