Religion 272:

The Representation of

Muslim women in Texts

Professor Aminah B. McCloud

Office: SAC 568 Office Phone: 325-1290
Office Hours:

The social condition of Muslim women seems
to preoccupy non-Muslims as much as Muslims
themselves, although for totally different
reasons. The West, especially the United
States, may have found a new bogey man to
Replace communism in the "rise of Islam" or
The dangers facing the so-called civilised world
By the rise of the so-called "Islamic" and
"Confucian" civilizations as though either were
a monolith or together a hydra-headed
monster out to get the West. On the other
hand, Muslims are preoccupied with the rising
current of fundamentalism and its effect
on the position of women in society. All of which
is built on the assumption that religion is the
prime determinant in the position of women in
a Muslim society. Afaf Lutfi al-Sayyid Marsot
"Entrepreneurial Women" in Feminism & Islam. Ed. By
Mai Yamani . p.33

"Muslim Women in Texts" aims to examine texts written on Muslim women by themselves, by non-Muslim women and by Muslim men. Several questions are raised by the subject itself. One such question focuses on what is intrinsically Islamic with respect to ideas about women and gender. Another question centers on what is the model Muslim woman given the diversity of cultural manifestations of Islam. This course emerges from these questions and others exploring who is writing what about Muslim women, for what audience. In our course, we will use some of the methods that have risen from women’s studies along with an emphasis on Islam itself.

What the course aims to do:

acquaint students with the Qur’anic views of believing women
teach students to use the information gained in women’s studies in the examination of a community of women as written in the texts in this course.
Teach students to think critically about connections between how Muslim women see themselves and how others see them in diverse studies on their lives.

Students must grasp and be able to articulate what forces are influencing the particular views of Muslim women in each of the texts used in this class by the end of the quarter.

Texts:

Western Representations of Muslim Women

Opening the Gate

In Memory of Hands

Prepared Packet

Windows of Faith

General Expectations:

Class Preparation: It is expected and required that you come to class with the reading assignment done, that you will have used the study guide in your preparation to discuss the material, and that you will have typed out your responses to hand in at the end of each class. Class participation is worth 20% of your grade. Without participation at each class session, the highest grade you can possibly receive is a B.

Attendance: Absence from class deprives you of an opportunity for sharing knowledge. Lateness to class interrupts the environment of the class. Tardiness beyond 20 minutes is an absence. Six absences means that you have missed one-fifth of the classroom work and your grade will be reduced by one full letter grade. More than six absences strongly suggests that you will fail the course.

Academic Integrity: Plagiarism in an essay or response paper is a serious matter. See the Student Handbook for the University’s policies on plagiarism.

Specific Class Requirements

1) Four Book Reviews: a five-page maximum book review that follows guide sheet, double-spaced and typed, will be due as indicated in the schedule. These reviews are to be typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins all around in a 12 font size, with your name, the name of the class, the name of text under review, and the date. These papers are worth 80% of your final grade.

A Book Review:

- must have a first paragraph that clearly states the issue/concern

- must reflect good organization of ideas, good grammatical usage, correct punctuation, and correct spelling.

Grading 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.)

(3) Class Participation: Remember, it is worth 20% of your final grade.

- For each class session you will be provided with questions regarding the reading.

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 active.

Meeting with the Professor: It is strongly advised that you meet with me at least once during the quarter to discuss your work in general.

Readings and Major Assignment Schedule

Note: The library has a good collection of videos on Islam which you can view at your leisure and use the information for class participation and for your response papers.

Note: Although readings and lectures will generally follow the order as indicated, there may be changes in the schedule because of the length of time needed to cover a particular topic. If this happens, you will receive an amended schedule with changes.

Schedule