Islam: Practices and Beliefs [2649]

General Information

• Credits: 6 ECTS
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's or Licence level (or equivalent); proficiency in English
• Learning format: asynchronous distance learning – 100% e-learning
• Language of instruction: English
• Course access: available at any time of year
• Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle

Course Overview

This course offers a structured introduction to the foundations of Islam, covering the main articles of Sunni Muslim faith and the religious practices that form its framework. It provides the essential reference points needed to distinguish Sunnism from Shiism, to understand the Five Pillars of Islam in their theological and spiritual significance, and to grasp the major doctrinal debates concerning the sources of Islam, particularly those surrounding the Sunna and the Sīra.

Course Objectives

This course enables you to:

• Distinguish between Sunnism and Shiism. Identify the main articles of the Muslim faith.
• Know the Five Pillars of Islam and understand their theological significance and spiritual scope.
• Identify the theological debates concerning the sources of Islam, particularly the Sunna and the Sīra.
• Develop a critical and detached approach to Islam.
• Master a method for analysing religious phenomena.
• Understand the internal diversity of Islam.
• Develop a dialogical and open understanding of religions.

Course Competencies

This course is linked to the following competencies:

• Distinguish and present the essential elements of Judaism and Islam in order to foster dialogue (Theology Track)
• Master the beliefs, the foundational texts and the scholarly language of Islam (Islamic Studies Track)

Assessment Methods 

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade,
• the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation.

Learning Format

The course is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and, depending on the content, video resources;
• interactive learning activities (quizzes, exercises);
• a discussion forum with the course instructor and fellow participants.

Prerequisites

This course is open to anyone holding a Bachelor's degree or Licence (or an equivalent qualification) in theology, the humanities, social sciences, or a related field, or with significant personal or academic experience related to the topics covered.

A good command of written English is recommended to facilitate understanding of the content and participation in the activities offered.

Accessibility

The course is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device, via the MyDomuni platform.
For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to course content and activities. 

Disability liaison officer: cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu.

Selective Bibliography

• Sarah Albrecht, Dār al-Islām Revisited. Territoriality in Contemporary Islamic Legal Discourse on Muslims in the West, Leiden, Brill, 2018.
• Chibli Mallat, Introduction to Middle Eastern Law, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2007.
• Bernard Lewis, The Muslim Discovery of Europe, New York, W. W. Norton & Company, 1982.
• Brigitte Maréchal et Sami Zemni (dirs.), The Dynamics of Sunni-Shia Relationships. Doctrine, Transnationalism, Intellectuals and the Media, London, Hurst & Company, 2013.
• Duygu Köksal et Anastasia Falierou (dirs.), A Social History of Late Ottoman Women. New Perspectives, Leiden/Boston, Brill, 2013.