Courses

IWS 190- Critical Writing and Reading Methods

IWS 190 is an introductory skills course aimed at improving the student?s ability to read and write with clarity and precision. It is meant to prepare students for other IWS courses that stress text reading, responsive writing and research. IWS 190 students will use source material relevant to Islamic World Studies from disciplines that include history, political science and international studies. The class meets once a week for three hours. The first 60-75 minutes of each session will be devoted to discussion of weekly reading assignments. After a short break, the remainder of most class sessions will be devoted to in-class writing assignments. Students will complete six short response papers as weekly homework assignments and three longer (in term and length) writing assignments: a book review, a comparative analysis and a research paper.

IWS 191-Introduction to Islamic World Studies

This course is the introductory course to the program. This course is to familiarize the students with the study of Islam by introducing them to the central texts - the Qur'an, Hadith literature (reports of the actions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad), and Sira (the biography of the Prophet)- and methodologies in studying these and other primary sources (although the course will limit its scope to translated texts, students will become aware of the vast resources that are available in Arabic). Students will also learn the mechanics of research in the field.   They will become aware of the Encyclopedias, Indexes, and Journals, etc., that are available to conduct proper research in the field.

IWS 192-Introduction to the Field of Islamic Studies

This course is the second of two introductory courses to the Islamic World Studies Program.  Students will concentrate on the state of the field of Islam in the Academic world.  Students will become grounded in the history of the field, from its beginning in the late 18th century until the present time. Students will become familiar with the most up to date theories that are at present governing the study on on the rise of Islam and the sacred texts in the Western and Islamic Academia.

IWS 116-Islamic Experience

This course will introduce students to the religion of Islam through its sources, practices, and presence in the contemporary world. In this introduction we will briefly explore the Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad, hadith, law, ritual and practices, sectarian movements, and issues among Muslim women.  The course will also look at some of the issues facing Muslims at the present time. Cross-listed as REL 116.

IWS 217-Islam in Global Contexts

A study of Islam's developments in various global contexts, including Arabian beginnings, the Middle East, Central, Eastern and Western Europe, China, the former Soviet States and South Africa, with a focus on the impacts that these cultures and Islam have had on each other. Cross-listed as REL 217.

IWS 251-Islamic Art

An examination of the origins of Islamic culture in Arabia and the spread of Islamic art and religion across the Middle East, North Africa, Spain, Sicily, Iran, India, and Central Asia; emphasizes the meaning of religious imagery. Cross-listed with ART 251.

IWS 263-Religion and Politics in the Middle East

An exploration of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as they develop and interact in the Middle East, historically and in terms of contemporary religious and political issues. Includes a study of personal narratives of people from Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. Cross-listed as REL 263.

IWS 265-Reform Movements within Islam

This course will deal with the idea of "reform" within Islamic political movements in the modern period. The course will analyze various Islamic reform movements such as the Wahahabis, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Modernists, the Traditionalists, seeking a pattern in these movements. Cross-listed as REL 265.

IWS 266-Islam in the United States

An examination of the story of Islam in the United States in three historical periods: antebellum America, the first half of the 20th century, and the latter half of the 20th century. Explores Muslim slave life; the possibilities of retentions of Islam in slave culture; the religious, social/economic, and political life of Muslims at the beginning of the 20th century; the emergence of Islamic thought in the U.S. through an overview of the works of Ismail as-Faruqi, Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Fazlur Rahman. Cross listed as REL 266.

IWS 271-The Qur'an and

A study of the origin, transmission, and interpretation of the Qur'an. Cross listed as REL 271.

IWS 272-Muslim

Explores major current approaches to the study of Muslim women, focusing on the Qur'anic conversation on women, on the commentaries provided by men, and on the emerging voices of Muslim women and non-Muslims. Cross-listed as REL 272.

IWS 295-Sectarian Movements within Islam

This course will look at the various sects within Islam such as Shi'ism, Kharjism, etc. The course will also look at theological sects such as the Mu'taziliets. The course will be concerned with the history, the beliefs, and the present circumstances (if they still exist today) of these sects. Cross listed as REL 295.

IWS 324-Religion and Law

An intensive study of the many dimensions of religious liberties in a pluralist society. Explores the language of constitutional and political discourse generally, and the ways in which language affects an understanding of the First Amendment. Includes case studies on particular religious communities and their encounters with American law. Cross-listed as REL 324.

IWS 327-The Media and Islam

Reporting the Arab and Muslim Worlds examines the journalistic techniques and communication theories behind how mainstream U.S. news media  (print, broadcast and online) bring news and information about the Arab and Muslim worlds to the American public. The course pairs media pieces with academic writing to stimulate critical thinking on media coverage of 1) characterizations of Muslims and Islam, including Islamic diversity, 2) contextual links between political Islam and Western/U.S. policies in the Muslim world, 3) the concept of jihad, 4)the status of Muslim women, and 5) the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The course is presented in a three-hour, weekly seminar format and stresses reading, discussion and class participation. Written requirements are a midterm essay (assigned two weeks before due date) and a final media research paper on an approved topic of choice. There are no exams or quizzes.

IWS 330-Islamic Law, Its History and Modern Applications

This course is a brief introduction to Islamic Law and its history including case studies of its modern applications. Students will trace the history of Islamic legal theory from its beginnings until the modern period. The focus is on the early formation of theory-its major themes and arguments along with the variety of doctrines that contribute to it. Students will examine how the socio-religious realities interface with the production of legal discourse as they build on previous coursework on modern reformers and the sources of law. This course will also explore the ongoing conversations over religious faith as the basis of a legal system. Last, we transition to the contemporary period through case studies where we will consider how the case connects with or departs from these larger debates and the different contemporary methodologies and arguments used.

IWS 340-Special Topics in Islamic World Studies

A 300-level class exploring specific topics in-depth. Varies by quarter.

IWS 399-Independent Study

Independent study designed for majors. Permission required.