Religion 266: Islam in the
Dr. Aminah B. McCloud
Winter, 2002 MWF
Office: SAC 459 Office Phone: 325-1290
Office Hours: MWF
e-mail: amccloud@condor.depaul.edu
- Course Description
This course will explore Islam in the
- Course Objectives
- This course aims to provide
students with an overview of Islam in the
- Students will learn the
fundamentals of Islam.
- Textbooks
African American Islam.
McCloud
Islam. Elias
Islam in
Instructional Methods
This course will be conducted in a lecture/discussion format -- lectures
(instructor and guests), general discussions, and audio/visual presentations.
The class will be divided into small discussion groups on Fridays.
IV. Course Requirements
1. Class Participation. Participation in the classroom process is vital to
the learning process. It is imperative that you come to class prepared by prior
reading and reflection to share insights and judgments, questions and problems
with the rest of the class. Students may be called upon at any time for oral
summaries or comments on assigned readings. This participation is mandatory.
Responses should be given clearly, coherently and most of all thoughtfully. Class
participation will count for 20% of your grade. Class participation is expected
at each class meeting.
Evaluation of Participation
A= Student has read the assignment
and asks questions, expresses judgments and/or poses possible areas to explore
at each class session. Students who receive an A are at all times able to give
a clear summary of the material assigned.
B= Student participates as in above 80% of the
time. (18 out of 20 classes)
C= Student only enters the conversation in
classroom when asked; student's response shows only vague familiarity with
assigned reading.
D= Student is unable to summarize reading or cannot
respond to questions asked; keeps silent during most class discussions (50% of
time)
F= Student is present but not
participating in class.
2. Critical Book Reviews: See attached sheet for instructions. Four
critical book reviews are required. The last review is cumulative – you
will summarize your readings of all texts.
Critical Book Review:
a. answer all questions that pertain to
the text under review
b. must be five pages in length.
c. Must have a first paragraph that summarizes your reading of the text.
d. must reflect good organization of
ideas; good grammatical usage; correct punctuation; correct spelling and good
syntax.
e. must be typewritten, double-spaced,
with one inch margins all around. You must put your name, title of class, date,
and the name of the book.
Each critical book review is worth 20% of your grade for a total of 80%
of your final grade.
Grading Critical Book Reviews:
A -- designates work of extraordinarily high
quality and reflects unusual thoroughness, comprehensives, cogency of argument
(or presentation), treatment in development of ideas, and creativity in writing
assignments. Work also characterized by exceptional writing skills: virtually
free of serious grammatical and spelling as well as syntactical errors.
B -- designates work of high quality regarding the
organization and development of ideas. Work substantively addresses
issues/topics and the like as stated in guidelines of assignments. Writing is
relatively free of serious grammatical and spelling as well as syntactical
errors.
C -- designates work, which minimally meets
acceptable requirements as stated in guidelines for assignments. Writing skills
reflect weaknesses in organization and development of ideas, may demonstrate
serious grammatical and spelling, as well as syntactical errors. Treatment of
issues and ideas often characterized as superficial and simplistic. Work may
only address a part of assignment.
D -- designates work, which does not meet minimum
acceptable requirements of the assignment(s). Very poorly
written in terms of organization and development of ideas, grammar and
spelling, and syntax. May indicate that student has not thought through
topic or treatment very superficial and/or simplistic.
F -- Indicates that topic has not been addressed at all or that organization
is so poor that paper does not make sense. This usually indicates that work was
hastily done and without regard for requirements. (Due to the intensity of
this course and the short time for its completion, there are no opportunities
for rewriting and resubmission.)
REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. Six unexcused absences will
automatically lower the student's final grade by one letter grade. More than
six unexcused absences will result in a final grade of FX.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: PLAGIARISM IN AN ESSAY
OR A RESPONSE PAPER IS A SERIOUS MATTER. SEE THE "STUDENT HANDBOOK"
FOR THE UNIVERSITY'S POLICIES ON PLAGIARISM.
Schedule
First Week
January 7-11
Introduction to Class.
Monday Lecture: Introduction to Islamic Worldview
Homework: Read Elias
this week.
Wednesday: Lecture on the Islamic Worldview
Friday: discussion of Elias
Second Week
January 14-18
Monday Lecture: The Atlantic Slave Trade
*1st Book Review Due
Homework: Read for Handout on Muslim Slaves
Wednesday Lecture: Muslim Slaves
Friday Discussion: The First Muslims in
Review: Smith
Chapter One then read Chapter three: “Islam comes to
Third Week
January 21-25
Monday Lecture: Islam Comes to
Homework: Review Chapter Three
Wednesday Lecture: The beginnings of Muslim communities in U.S.
Homework: Read Smith Chapter Five: Women and the Muslim American Family
Friday: Video on Islam in
Homework: Read
handouts on Muslim women
Fourth Week
January 28 – February 1
Monday Lecture: Women in Islam
Homework: Continue reading Smith: Chapter Six: Living Life in American
Society
Wednesday Lecture: Living in
Homework: Read: Handouts on Muslims in
Friday: Discussion
Homework: Smith: Read Chapter Seven: The Public Practice of Islam
Fifth Week
February 4- 8
Monday Lecture: Public practice
Homework: Read handouts
Wednesday Lecture: Challenges
Homework: Read handouts and Smith: Chapter Eight- Looking into the Future
Friday: Video and Discussion
Homework: Prepare 2nd Book Review
Sixth Week
February 11 - 15
Monday 2nd Book Review Due
Lecture: African American Islam
Homework: Read McCloud pg. 9-40
Wednesday Lecture: Early African American Muslim Communities
Homework: Continue reading McCloud pg. 9-40
Friday: Discussion
Homework: McCloud pgs 41-95
Seventh Week
February 18-22
Monday Lecture: Contemporary Communities
Wednesday: video
Friday: Discussion
Homework: Read McCloud: Chapter 3: The Family Structure and Domestic Life
Eighth Week
February 25 – March 1
Monday Lecture/discussion on chapter
3
Homework: Read McCloud chapter 4:
Social Issues and Challenges
Wednesday Discussion
Homework: Reread discussion of women
in Smith and read McCloud Chapter 5: Women in Islam
Friday :
Discussion on women in Islam
Homework: Prepare 3rd Book Review
Ninth Week
March 4-8
Monday: 3rd Book Review Due
Lecture/discussion: Recent Events
Homework: Review texts for discussion
Wednesday: Continue Discussion of recent events
Homework: Review texts for discussion
Friday : Video
Homework: Prepare for final book review
Tenth Week
March 11-15
Week of discussion and preparation for final book review
Final book review is due on date of
final exam