Introduction to Islam, 15 credits
Contents
The aim of the course is to provide knowledge about Islam's forms of expression in history and the present. This includes an overview of Islam as an individual religious vocation, the historical development of Islam as systematic religious doctrine and practice, and the world-historical significance of Islamic civilization. The course introduces the sacred texts of Islam and how these have been used and given different meanings up to our own time. Half the course is devoted to how Islam is understood and practiced in various local, regional, national and international contexts in South Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, in sub-Saharan Africa and in the global Muslim diaspora.
The course consists of three parts: 1. Introduction to Islam; 2. Introduction to the texts of Islam; and 3. Introduction to the context of Islam.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the basic features of Muslim faith and religious practice;
- demonstrate knowledge of the historical development of Islam up to the present day;
- recognize and question the use of central concepts in Islam;
- give an account of Islam's central documents and show understanding of the diversity of interpretations and religious practice that characterize Islam in history and the present.
Skills and ability
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
- apply basic religious science concepts to understand and analyze different expressions of Islam in history and the present;
- demonstrate the ability to value the role that Muslim tradition and Islamic concepts have played and are playing for various political endeavors in history and the present;
- demonstrate the ability to account for and critically discuss facts, problems and problem solving regarding the study of Islam.
Judgement and Approach
After completing the course, the student should be able to:
- be factually critical of various claims about Muslim religious belief and practice;
- demonstrate a versatile and objective approach regarding historical and contemporary religious expressions of Islam, including political aspirations and events.
Required Knowledge
General entry requirementsForm of instruction
Teaching takes place in the form of lectures, seminars and workshop exercises.
When the course is given as an online course, the teaching takes place through the course platform. During the course, there is English-language literature, therefore the student must be able to grasp academic English literature to pass the course. When the course is given in English all course content will be in English, however, students may be able to turn in their assignments in Swedish.
Examination modes
The examination consists of both oral and writing exams. The first module, Introduction to Islam, comprising 3 credits, is examined through a seminar and a quiz. The second module, Introduction to the texts of Islam, comprising 4.5 credits is examined through a combination of a workshop and a written assignment. The tasks are assessed with the grades Pass or Fail. The third part of the course, Introduction to the context of Islam, is examined through a final take home exam comprising 7.5 credits. The exam is graded with the grade Passed with Distinction, Passed or Failed.
To receive a pass with distinction on the entire course, a student need a pass on the first two modules and a pass with distinction on the last module (exam). For a grade pass on the course all the modules of the course must have the grade pass.
A retest must be offered no later than two months after the regular exam, however, the retest must be offered no earlier than ten working days after the results of the regular exam have been announced and a copy of the students' exam is available. For tests conducted during the months of May and June, the first re-test may be offered within three months of the regular test. In addition, at least one further re-examination must be offered within one year of the regular examination, so-called collection test. Those who have passed the exam may not undergo a new exam for a higher grade.
The examiner can decide on deviations from the examination form of the syllabus. Individual adaptation of the form of examination must be considered according to the student's needs. The form of examination is adapted within the framework of the curriculum's expected study results. Students who need an adapted examination must request adaptation from the institution responsible for the course no later than 10 working days before the examination. The examiner decides on an adapted examination, which is then notified to the student.
Other regulations
In the event that the syllabus expires or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three exams (including regular exams) according to the regulations in the syllabus on which the student was originally registered for a period of a maximum of two years from the previous syllabus expires or the course has been discontinued.
In granting a university degree, this course may not be combined with any other course that has a similar content. In case of uncertainty, the student should consult the Director of Studies at the Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies.
Literature
Bashir Shahzad
A new vision for Islamic pasts and futures / Shahzad Bashir
uuuu-uuuu :
Online access for UMUB
Mandatory
Brown Jonathan A. C.
Muhammad
: a very short introduction
New York :
Oxford University Press :
2011 :
xviii, 140 sidor :
ISBN: 9780199559282
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Cook Michael
The Koran
: a very short introduction
Oxford :
Oxford University Press :
2000 :
162 p :
ISBN: 0-19-285344-9
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Green Nile.
Sufism
: a global history
Malden, MA :
Wiley-Blackwee :
2012 :
263 s. :
ISBN: 9781405157612
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Hughes Aaron W
Muslim Identities : An Introduction to Islam
New York : Columbia University Press : 328s. :
2013 :
Mandatory
Metcalf Barbara Daly
Islam in South Asia in practice
Princeton :
Princeton University Press :
cop. 2009 :
xxv, 474 p. :
ISBN: 9780691044217
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Islam
: en religionsvetenskaplig introduktion
Olsson Susanne, Sorgenfrei Simon
1. uppl. :
Stockholm :
Liber :
2015 :
351 s. :
ISBN: 9789147112043
Mandatory
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Further readings, mostly articles would be added at a later stage. Recommended books, for students who would like to read more, will be published at the Canvas page.
Reference litterature
Cook Michael
The New Cambridge History of Islam. Volume 1–6
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press :
2010 :
Esposito John L.
The Oxford encyclopedia of the Islamic world
New York, N.Y. :
Oxford University Press :
2009 :
6 v. :
ISBN: 9780195305135
Search the University Library catalogue
Brockopp Jonathan E..
The Cambridge Companion to Muhammad
Cambridge :
Cambridge University Press :
2010 :
1 online resource (344 p.) :
Table of Contents / Abstracts
ISBN: 9780511781551
Search the University Library catalogue
Reading instructions: Reference material
Cook Michael
The Koran
: a very short introduction
Oxford :
Oxford University Press :
2000 :
162 p :
ISBN: 0-19-285344-9
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Curtis Edward E.
Islam in Black America
: identity, liberation, and difference in African-American Islamic thought
Albany :
State University of New York Press :
2002. :
x, 174 s. :
ISBN: 0-7914-5369-3
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Donner Fred McGraw
Muhammad and the believers
: at the origins of Islam
Cambridge, Mass. :
Belknap Press of Harvard University Press :
2010 :
xviii, 280 s. :
ISBN: 9780674050976
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Green Nile.
Sufism
: a global history
Malden, MA :
Wiley-Blackwee :
2012 :
263 s. :
ISBN: 9781405157612
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Hjärpe Jan
Bilden av profeten
: berättelserna om Muhammed och deras funktion förr och nu
Stockholm :
Leopard :
2011 :
160 s. :
ISBN: 9789173433273
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Hughes Aaron W
Muslim Identities : An Introduction to Islam
New York : Columbia University Press : 328s. :
2013 :
Mandatory
Metcalf Barbara Daly
Islam in South Asia in practice
Princeton :
Princeton University Press :
cop. 2009 :
xxv, 474 p. :
ISBN: 9780691044217
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Islam
: en religionsvetenskaplig introduktion
Olsson Susanne, Sorgenfrei Simon
1. uppl. :
Stockholm :
Liber :
2015 :
351 s. :
ISBN: 9789147112043
Mandatory
Search the University Library catalogue
Sorgenfrei Simon
Islam i Sverige
: de första 1300 åren
Bromma :
Myndigheten för stöd till trossamfund :
[2018] :
347 sidor :
ISBN: 9789198345322
Mandatory
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Jihad and death
: the global appeal of Islamic State
Roy Olivier, Schoch Cynthia
London :
C. Hurst & Co. (Publishers) Ltd. :
2017 :
vi, 130 pages :
ISBN: 1849046980
Mandatory
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Bernström Mohammed Knut
Koranens budskap
: med kommentarer och noter
Stockholm :
Proprius :
2002 :
xii, [2],1166, [1] s. :
ISBN: 91-7118-899-1 : 112:00
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