F0515 Islam as a World View: An Introduction

Aims of the course: Islam, one of the three monotheistic faiths, is followed today – fourteen centuries after its revelation to mankind – by more than one billion of human beings all over the world. Yet Islam is not only a spiritual faith in an Unique God, called Allah in Arabic, but it has also become the basis of several societies formed and shaped by the believers in that faith. To say it differently, Islam is a \"worldview\" according to Ninian Smart\'s definition (which will be discussed at the beginning of the course). Taking in due consideration the multicultural background of the undergraduate students of VIU, the course will introduce the principal issues and problems related to Islam as a faith/religion and as a social ideology from its beginning up to today. To attain this twofold objectives, part of the course will be dedicated to the theoretical bases of Islam as a religious faith. Furthermore we will shortly examine the historical evolution of the Muslim worlds. An more detailed section will discuss the communities of the Muslim believers (some living in so-called Islamic States, other inhabiting in non Muslim realities such as Europe, US, but also India, Cina etc.) and their institutions, particularly as they are organised today.\r\n

Course description: After a general introduction to the topics of the course, we will examine the status of Islam and of the Muslims in the contemporary world. One lesson will be dedicated to the historical evolution of the Islamic lands. Then we will approach the origins of Islam as a religion, studying the Qur\'an and the life of the prophet Muhammad. Subsequently we will analyse a number of manifestations of that religion, such as the so-called \'five Pillars of Islam\', but also local customs such as saint-worshipping. Then, focusing on the social aspects of this worldview, special attention will be given to the law, both in its Islamic elements (shari\'a and fiqh) and in its actual, historical expressions in the qanun of the sovereigns, in the traditional customs and in the positive laws of contemporary States. A special set of lessons will deal with the position of women, both in the normative texts and in the actual practices. Specific consideration will be dedicated to contemporary issues, principally to the relations between Muslims and the West.
As the course is expressly addressed to undergraduate students coming from very different worldviews, the teaching material will consist only of literature in English.
Students will be provided with a course pack.