MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Islam

Course: REL212

First Term: 2006 Summer I

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Introduction to History, scriptures, practices and impact of Islam

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Trace the development of Arabian religion from paganism to monotheism. (I) 2. Trace the expansion of Islam throughout the Middle East. (I, II, III, IV) 3. Trace the development of the early Moslem Dynasties. (I, IV, VIII) 4. Describe the origins and nature of the basic Moslem scriptures. (II, X, XI) 5. Describe the core religious practices of Islam. (III, X, XI, XII) 6. Describe Moslem perspectives on various ethical and social issues. (V, X, XI, XII) 7. Describe the various sects/branches in Islam. (VI, VIII, X, XIV) 8. Describe the evolution of Islamic thought from 622AD to modern times. (I, X, XI, IV) 9. Describe the contributions of Islam and Moslems to the world. (I, II, IV, VI, VII, IX, XIII) 10. Describe the emergence of modern Islamic movements. (VII, XIV)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. History A. Pre-Islamic Arabia 1. Tribalism (The Quraishis) 2. Paganism 3. Mecca as Trade, Political, and Religious Center 4. Role of Women 5. Female Infanticide 6. Slavery II. Life of the Prophet A. Beginnings B. Meditations and Revelations C. Trade Caravans D. Migration to Medina (Hijrah) III. The Establishment of the First Moslem State A. Battle of Badr B. The Peace Treaty of Mecca C. The Jews in Mecca D. Life in Arabia 1. Slavery abolished 2. Women rights established 3. Paganism abolished 4. Female Infanticide abolished IV. The Predicament of Succession A. The Four Right-Guided Caliphs 1. Abu-Bakr 2. Omar 3. Uthman 4. Ali B. Struggle for Leadership of Moslem State 1. The Split between Moslems V. The Establishment of the Moslem Empire A. Moslem Dysnasties 1. The Umayyads 2. The Abbasids 3. The Fatimids 4. The Ottomans VI. The Five Pillars of Islam A. The Creed (Al-Shahada) B. Prayer (Salat) C. Almsgiving (Zakat) D. Fasting (Sawm) E. Pilgrimage (Hajj) VII. Rituals A. Circumcision B. Holy Days 1. Feast of Breaking Fast (Eid-ul-Fitr) 2. Feast of Sacrifice (Eid-ul-Adha) 3. Birthday of the Prophet 4. Birthday of the Saints (Shi`ah) C. Burial Rituals VIII. Moslem Sects A. Sunnis 1. Hanbali 2. Shafi`i 3. Hanafi 4. Maliki B. Shi`ah 1. Twelvers 2. Seveners 3. Fivers IX. Islamic Mysticism (Sufism) A. Sufi orders 1. Saints 2. Meditation B. Whirling Dervishes X. Scriptures A. The Holy Qur`an B. The Hadith C. The Sunnah XI. Religious Law (Shari`ah) A. Crime and Punishment B. Justice C. Inheritance D. Family Issues E. Business XII. Moslem lifestyle A. Dress B. Role of men and women C. Marriage, sexuality and the family D. Dietary restrictions XIII. Contributions of Islam and Moslems to the world A. Astronomy B. Government C. Art and Architecture D. Mathematics E. Law and Jurispudence XIV. Modern Islamic/Islamist Reform Movements A. Salafis B. Muhajireen C. Takfeer D. Moslem Brotherhood

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 12/13/2005

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.