The Qur’an

In this course, we will study Islam through its sacred text, the Qur'an. We will focus on cosmology (God, human nature, satan, and the afterlife), ethical principles, ritual prescriptions, and legal injunctions. We will also examine prominent symbols, images, and rhetorical structures of the Qur'an. In reading prophetic narratives, we will compare Qur'anic and Biblical accounts of the major prophets shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We will also examine the role of the Qur'an in Muslim devotion and as a medium for artistic expression. Special emphasis will be placed on the tradition of Qur'anic exegesis, especially the exegesis of the verses that inspire the most debate today: inter-communal and inter-religious relations, and gender. 3 hrs. lect./disc.