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ISL304Arts2 Unitsintermediate

Islamic Studies and Orientalism

This course explores Islamic Studies in relation to Orientalism. It examines the historical context of Islam, its characteristics, and the concept of Orientalism. The course delves into biased and unbiased perspectives from Orientalist academics, the life and mission of Prophet Muhammad, and criticisms of Islamic scriptures like the Qur'an and Hadith. It also covers aspects of Sharia law, including polygamy and the Islamic penal code.

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40h
Study Time
13
Weeks
3h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
IslamOrientalismQur'anHadithSharia

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Islamic History

2

Orientalism

3

Prophet Muhammad

4

Islamic Scriptures

5

Sharia Law

6

Islamic Jurisprudence

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Religious Scholar

Apply your skills in this growing field

Historian

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Cultural Analyst

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Policy Advisor

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Academic Researcher

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Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationResearchGovernmentInternational RelationsCultural Organizations

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Islam and its Contextual Perceptions

3h

Unit 1: Islam and Its major Characteristics

3 study hours
  • •Read the introduction to Islam, focusing on its meaning and significance.
  • •Identify the key aspects of Islamic history.
  • •Understand the Muslim Creed and its importance.
  • •List the characteristics of a true Muslim and reflect on their application in daily life.
Week
2

Module 1: Islam and its Contextual Perceptions

3h

Unit 2: The Concept of Orientalism

3 study hours
  • •Define Orientalism and its various interpretations.
  • •Examine the roles played by early non-Muslim critics of Islam.
  • •Discuss the emergence of Orientalism as an academic discipline.
Week
3

Module 1: Islam and its Contextual Perceptions

3h

Unit 3: Select Biased and Unbiased Orientalism Academics

3 study hours
  • •Compare and contrast the views of biased and unbiased Orientalist academics.
  • •Analyze the perspectives of Bonn Abraham Geiger, Alois Sprenger, and William Muir.
  • •Discuss the viewpoints of Henry Stubbe, Johann W. von Goethe, and Thomas Carlyle.
Week
4

Module 1: Islam and its Contextual Perceptions

3h

Unit 4: Sir William Muir and David Samuel Margoliouth

3 study hours
  • •Study the biographies of Sir William Muir and David Samuel Margoliouth.
  • •Evaluate their works on divine revelation and identify their biases.
  • •Understand their contributions to Orientalist literature.
Week
5

Module 2: The prophet and his Mission

3h

Unit 1: Biography of Muhammad

3 study hours
  • •Review the key events in the life of Prophet Muhammad.
  • •Examine Jewish and Christian criticisms of Muhammad.
  • •Understand the Skeptics' views on Muhammad and his message.
Week
6

Module 2: The prophet and his Mission

3h

Unit 2: Muhammad"s Marriages

3 study hours
  • •Identify the Prophet's wives and their backgrounds.
  • •Analyze the reasons behind the Prophet's marriages.
  • •Understand the social and political context of these marriages.
Week
7

Module 2: The prophet and his Mission

3h

Unit 3: Criticism of Polygamous Practice of Muhammad

3 study hours
  • •Examine the criticisms of the Prophet's polygamous practices.
  • •Analyze the motives behind the Prophet's marriage to Zainab.
  • •Understand the historical and cultural context of these criticisms.
Week
8

Module 3: The Islamic Scriptures

3h

Unit 1: The Holy Qur"ān

3 study hours
  • •Define the Qur'an and its significance in Islam.
  • •Explain the process of revelation of the Qur'an.
  • •Understand the place of the Qur'an in Islamic legislation.
  • •Explore the relationship between the Qur'an and science.
Week
9

Module 3: The Islamic Scriptures

3h

Unit 2: Criticism of the Qur'an

3 study hours
  • •Analyze the criticisms of the Qur'an from various perspectives.
  • •Examine the grammatical, scientific, and historical criticisms.
  • •Understand the criticisms of Qur'anic jurisprudence and their refutations.
Week
10

Module 3: The Islamic Scriptures

3h

Unit 3: *Ḥadīth* / *Sunnah*

3 study hours
  • •Define Hadith and Sunnah and their meanings.
  • •Understand the position of Hadith in Islamic jurisprudence.
  • •Differentiate between Hadith and Sunnah.
Week
11

Module 3: The Islamic Scriptures

3h

Unit 4: Criticism of *Ḥadīth*

3 study hours
  • •Examine the Orientalists' views on the preservation of Hadith.
  • •Analyze the role of Hadith in historical documentation and preservation.
  • •Understand the misconceptions surrounding the prohibition of Hadith documentation.
Week
12

Module 4 The *Sharīʿah*

3h

Unit 1: Islam and Polygamy

3 study hours
  • •Explain the meaning of polygamy in Islam.
  • •Discuss the virtues of polygamy and its conditions.
  • •Understand the position of women in Islam and their rights.
Week
13

Module 4 The *Sharīʿah*

3h

Unit 2: Aspect of Islamic Penal Code

3 study hours
  • •Examine the Islamic penal code related to theft.
  • •Analyze the conditions for amputation and its justifications.
  • •Understand the Islamic perspective on capital punishment and its application.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of key events in Islamic history from Units 1-4.

2

Compare and contrast the views of biased and unbiased Orientalist academics.

3

Focus on the main themes and messages of the Qur'an and Hadith.

4

Review the principles of Sharia law and their applications.

5

Practice answering essay questions on controversial topics like polygamy and penal codes.

6

Create concept maps linking key figures, events, and concepts from the course.

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