Islam’s Contributions To Civilization
- Arts
- 400 level
- 3 credit units
- 73 pages
- 12 units
This course explores Islam's significant contributions to civilization. It examines the roles of eminent Muslim figures in various fields, aiming to inspire contemporary scholars and students to contribute meaningfully to humanity's progress. The course covers civilization in pre-Islamic Arabia, Islam's attitude to research, and the golden age of Islamic civilization. It also addresses the decline of Islamic civilization and its contemporary relevance.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 40 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ISL472, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ISL472 · Unit 2: CIVILIZATION IN ARABIA PENINSULA BEFORE AND AFTER THE ADVENT OF ISLAM
Islam also forbade destruction of property. This was demonstrated when on conquering Mecca, the Prophet Mohammed strongly forbade destruction of homes, animals, or trees and these principles were faithfully followed by his companions when they conquered other countries.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the concept of civilization from an Islamic perspective.
- Discuss the key contributions of Muslims to various fields of knowledge.
- Analyze the factors that led to the decline of Islamic civilization.
- Evaluate the impact of Islamic civilization on the modern world.
- Identify prominent figures who contributed to Islamic civilization.
What it prepares you for
- Historian
- Cultural Analyst
- Religious Scholar
- Archivist
- Museum Curator
- Education
- Historical Research
- Cultural Heritage
- Religious Studies
- Museums and Archives
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION AND MODERN RENAINSANCE
Unit 2: Medicine in medieval Islam
Requires understanding of complex medical terminologies and historical contexts of medical practices.
- Module 3: DECLINE OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
Unit 3: Causes of the decline of Islamic civilization
Demands critical analysis of political and social factors contributing to the decline of a civilization.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: CIVILIZATION IN THE PRE-ISLAMIC AND EARLY ISLAMIC PERIODS
Unit 1: The concept of Civilization · 2 hours
Define civilization and its characteristics.. Explain the concept of Islamic civilization.. Discuss the general characteristics of Islamic civilization..
- Week 2Module 1: CIVILIZATION IN THE PRE-ISLAMIC AND EARLY ISLAMIC PERIODS
Unit 2: CIVILIZATION IN ARABIA PENINSULA BEFORE AND AFTER THE ADVENT OF ISLAM · 2 hours
Describe the social, political, religious, and economic life of pre-Islamic Arabs.. Discuss the effects of these activities on the people's lives.. Compare pre-Islamic and Islamic civilizations in Arabia..
- Week 3Module 1: CIVILIZATION IN THE PRE-ISLAMIC AND EARLY ISLAMIC PERIODS
Unit 3: Islam and its attitude to research and learning · 2 hours
Discuss Islam's position on seeking knowledge.. Explain the importance of libraries and bookshops to early Muslims.. Discuss elementary and adult education systems under the Abbasids.. Explain Islam's contributions to architecture, arts, and music..
- Week 4Module 1: CIVILIZATION IN THE PRE-ISLAMIC AND EARLY ISLAMIC PERIODS
Unit 4: The Golden Age of Islamic civilization · 2 hours
Explain the meaning of the golden period in Islamic history.. Discuss how the Abbasids assumed the caliphate.. Give a brief historical account of the caliphates of Hārun al-Rashīd and Al-Ma'amūn..
- Week 5Module 2: ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION AND MODERN RENAINSANCE
Unit 1: Science in the medieval Islamic world · 2 hours
Discuss Islam's position on science.. Explain the relevance of science to civilization.. Detail Islam's contributions to science, focusing on Al-Battānī..
- Week 6Module 2: ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION AND MODERN RENAINSANCE
Unit 1: Science in the medieval Islamic world · 2 hours
Continue detailing Islam's contributions to science, focusing on Al-Birūnī and Al-Khawārizmī.. Understand their contributions to mathematics and other sciences..
- Week 7Module 2: ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION AND MODERN RENAINSANCE
Unit 2: Medicine in medieval Islam · 2 hours
Explain the meaning of medicine and its relevance to civilization.. Detail Islam's contributions to medicine, focusing on Ali al-Tabarī..
- Week 8Module 2: ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION AND MODERN RENAINSANCE
Unit 2: Medicine in medieval Islam · 2 hours
Continue detailing Islam's contributions to medicine, focusing on Al-Rāzi and Ibn Sīna.. Understand their contributions to medical practices and knowledge..
- Week 9Module 2: ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION AND MODERN RENAINSANCE
Unit 3: Islamic contributions to Literature · 2 hours
Discuss the importance of literary activities in Islam.. Explain Al-Tabarī and Al-Mas'ūdī's contributions to literature.. Discuss the role of 'The Arabian Nights' in promoting literature..
- Week 10Module 2: ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION AND MODERN RENAINSANCE
Unit 4: Islamic contributions to Philosophy · 2 hours
Define philosophy and mention great philosophers.. Explain how Al-Kindi and Al-Fārābi contributed to civilization through philosophy.. Understand the relationship between Islam and philosophy..
Unit 5: Islamic contributions to Technology · 2 hours
Explore Islamic contributions to technology.. Understand the role of technology in civilization.. Identify key Muslim figures in technological advancements..
- Week 11Module 3: DECLINE OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
Unit 1: Islam in Africa · 2 hours
Discuss the advent, spread, and impact of Islam in East, North, West and South Africa.. Understand the historical context of Islam in different African regions..
- Week 12Module 3: DECLINE OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
Unit 2: Islam in Spain · 2 hours
Discuss the advent of Islam in Spain.. Explain how Islam impacted the people of Spain.. Expatiate on the climax of Islamic civilization in Spain.. Talk on how and what led to the decline of Islamic civilization in Spain..
- Week 13Module 3: DECLINE OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
Unit 3: Causes of the decline of Islamic civilization · 2 hours
Summarize achievements in Muslim Spain.. Explain Muslim leaders' activities leading to the decline of Islamic civilization.. Explain how external aggressions affected Islamic civilization in Spain.. Discuss Islamic civilization in the contemporary period..
Unit 4: Islamic civilization in the contemporary period · 2 hours
Summarize the position of Islam after the colonial period.. Explain the renaissance of Islam.. Discuss the situation of education and science in the contemporary Islamic world..
Preparing for the exam
- Create timelines of key events and figures in Islamic civilization.
- Develop concept maps linking different areas of contribution (science, literature, philosophy).
- Focus on understanding the causes and consequences of the decline of Islamic civilization.
- Review the contributions of key Muslim scholars and their impact on the world.
- Practice essay questions on the main themes of the course.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ISL472 about?
This course explores Islam's significant contributions to civilization. It examines the roles of eminent Muslim figures in various fields, aiming to inspire contemporary scholars and students to contribute meaningfully to humanity's progress. The course covers civilization in pre-Islamic Arabia, Islam's attitude to research, and the golden age of Islamic civilization. It also addresses the decline of Islamic civilization and its contemporary relevance.
How many units does ISL472 have?
ISL472, Islam’s Contributions To Civilization, has 12 units across 3 modules, over 73 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ISL472?
ISL472 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Arts.
Is ISL472 hard?
ISL472 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does ISL472 take to study?
About 40 hours of study, spread across its 12 units.
How is ISL472 assessed?
ISL472 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with ISL472?
Historian, Cultural Analyst, Religious Scholar, Archivist and Museum Curator.