Intro To Religious Traditions I: Judaism, Christianity, And Islam:
Judaism, Christianity and Islam are elaborate and dynamic systems of belief and practice. While each of them is a distinct religious tradition, all three share a common cultural background, harbor similar views of the individual, and assume a linear perspective of history. Morever, the historical trajectories of these three Western monotheisms have been intricately intertwined: Christianity emerged out of Judaism, and Islam took shape largely in a Jewish and Christian context. This course will explore these monotheistic traditions in a comparative perspective with ample attention to questions of historical context and development. Our coverage will be explicitly topical and comparative, and the themes examined will include scripture and interpretive tradition, monotheism, authority, worship and ritual, ethics, material culture as well as religion and political order. Note: This class is open to all interested students. This course is required for all Religious Studies majors and minors. 3 units. Same as L75 JNE 202, U66 RelSt 2021.
Just War, Holy War: Bin Laden and the Roots of Islamic Radicalism:
The basic question the course seeks to answer is simple enough: why should the membership of the world's most notorious terrorist organization be entirely Muslim and largely Arab? It is easy enough to see that this is not an accident, but specifying the links in a responsible fashion involves analyzing the sweep of Islamic history, with particular attention to its initial and modern segments. In terms of relations with non-Muslim imperial powers, the first was a period of spectacular success, in marked contrast to the second. In handling modern history, to which we will give most of our time, we propose to combine two strategies. One is to provide a broad overview of the interactions between Muslims and non-Muslims in the three relevant environments: predominantly Muslim countries, countries where substantial Muslim populations face the fact or threat of non-Muslim dominance, and countries where Muslims are found mainly as a modern diaspora. The other strategy is a sustained examination of three very different but crucial Muslim countries: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan. We will devote time to al-Qaeda itself, studying its worldview, organization, and strategy. In addition, occasional excursions into comparative theories of just war in the Jewish and Christian traditions will also be undertaken. 3 units. Same as L22 History 394, L97 IAS 3940, L75 JNE 394.
Topics in Islamic History: Comparative Studies of Religious Revival and Violence in the Early Mode:
This course explores the development of theories of religious revival and jihad in the Islamic tradition, alongside comparable ones from other traditions, including the Jewish, Christian, and Roman. After laying the comparative theoretical groundwork in the first half, the course will shift attention to specific historical movements of religious revival and violence in the early modern era. The focus, though set in a comparative framework, will be concentrated on the Islamic tradition. Among other topics, we will explore the theories of al-Maqdisi, Ibn Taymiyya, and al-Shawkani, and the movements of Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, Sayyid Ahmad Barelwi, and Hasan al-Banna. Towards the end of the course, we will spend time exploring the historical roots of the Bin Laden phenomenon. 3 units. Same as L97 IAS 4910, L75 JNE 490.
Islamic Theology:
This course will explore major themes of early Islamic theology as developed by the Mutazilite, Ash'arite, and Maturidi schools. Some attention will also be paid to defunct theological systems the traces of which have remained in the heresiographical literature. Most readings will be in primary sources in English translation, though the students will also be introduced to some secondary literature on various themes. Some comparative theology with reference to the Judeo-Christian tradition will be a regular feature of class discussion. Topics will include (but are not limited to) debates over the createdness of the Qur'an, predestination and foreknowledge, God's attributes, the nature of language, the nature of the human soul, and creation and afterlife. 3 units. Same as L75 JNE 412.
Approaches to the Qur'an:
The place of the Qur'an in Islamic religion and society. Equal emphasis on text -- the Qur'an's history, contents, and literary features -- and context -- the place of the Qur'an in everyday life, its oral recitation, artistic uses, and scholarly interpretation. Knowledge of Arabic not required. 3 units. Same as L75 JNE 362, L75 JNE 562.
