World Religions
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Reading and Writing Workshop
Comparative Religion Course, focused on Islam.
This two-week unit explores the foundations, beliefs, branches, practices, texts, and cultural contributions of Islam. Students will engage in close reading, discussion, and reflective and analytical writing, culminating in a structured classroom debate.
Foundations and Beliefs of Islam
Session 1: Origins of Islam – Muhammad and 7th-century Arabia
Objective: Understand the historical and cultural context of Islam’s emergence.
Reading: The Life of Muhammad (translated by Edward Rehatsek), Introduction and Chapter I
https://archive.org/details/lifeofmuhammadtr00reha
Writing Prompt: How did Muhammad’s message respond to the social and religious environment of Mecca?
Activity: Create a historical timeline of key events in the Prophet Muhammad’s life.
Session 2: Core Beliefs – Tawhid and the Five Pillars
Objective: Explore the central tenets of Islamic faith.
Reading: The Religion of Islam by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri (sections on Tawhid and the Five Pillars)
https://archive.org/details/reliionofislam00misruoft
Writing Prompt: How does the concept of Tawhid influence Muslim daily life and worldview?
Discussion: Small groups summarize each of the Five Pillars and present examples of how each might be practiced.
Session 3: Branches of Islam – Sunni, Shia, and Sufism
Objective: Distinguish between the major branches of Islam and their theological or historical differences.
Reading: The Mohammedan System of Theology by William Henry Gwilliam (sections on Sunni and Shia divisions, and Sufism)
https://archive.org/details/mohammedansystem00gwill
Writing Prompt: Compare and contrast Sunni and Shia views on leadership and succession.
Activity: Create a Venn diagram comparing Sunni, Shia, and Sufi traditions.
Texts, Practices, and Cultural Contributions
Session 4: Sacred Texts – Qur’an and Hadith
Objective: Understand the structure, themes, and significance of the Qur’an and Hadith in Islam.
Readings:
Session 5: Practices – Salat, Fasting, and Hajj
Objective: Examine the major ritual practices of Islam and their spiritual meaning.
Reading: The Faith of Islam by Edward Sell (chapters on ritual prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage)
https://archive.org/details/faithofislam00selluoft
Writing Prompt: Reflect on the spiritual purpose of one of the practices—Salat, Ramadan fasting, or Hajj—and its communal or personal role.
Activity: Watch a short public domain documentary or film clip on the Hajj and write a response.
Session 6: Cultural Contributions of Islamic Civilization
Objective: Explore how Islamic civilization influenced global science, art, architecture, and philosophy.
Reading: The Legacy of Islam (edited by Sir Thomas Arnold and Alfred Guillaume) – chapters on science, medicine, art, and architecture
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.499996
Writing Prompt: Choose one cultural contribution (e.g., algebra, geometric design, or medical knowledge) and explain its global impact.
Activity: Visual gallery walk – display and analyze images of Islamic architecture, calligraphy, and scientific tools.
Session 7: Culminating Activity – Debate
Objective: Engage in civil discourse on a complex contemporary issue in Islam.
Debate Topic: What should be the role of Sharia law in modern Muslim-majority nations?
Preparation:
This two-week unit explores the foundations, beliefs, branches, practices, texts, and cultural contributions of Islam. Students will engage in close reading, discussion, and reflective and analytical writing, culminating in a structured classroom debate.
Foundations and Beliefs of Islam
Session 1: Origins of Islam – Muhammad and 7th-century Arabia
Objective: Understand the historical and cultural context of Islam’s emergence.
Reading: The Life of Muhammad (translated by Edward Rehatsek), Introduction and Chapter I
https://archive.org/details/lifeofmuhammadtr00reha
Writing Prompt: How did Muhammad’s message respond to the social and religious environment of Mecca?
Activity: Create a historical timeline of key events in the Prophet Muhammad’s life.
Session 2: Core Beliefs – Tawhid and the Five Pillars
Objective: Explore the central tenets of Islamic faith.
Reading: The Religion of Islam by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri (sections on Tawhid and the Five Pillars)
https://archive.org/details/reliionofislam00misruoft
Writing Prompt: How does the concept of Tawhid influence Muslim daily life and worldview?
Discussion: Small groups summarize each of the Five Pillars and present examples of how each might be practiced.
Session 3: Branches of Islam – Sunni, Shia, and Sufism
Objective: Distinguish between the major branches of Islam and their theological or historical differences.
Reading: The Mohammedan System of Theology by William Henry Gwilliam (sections on Sunni and Shia divisions, and Sufism)
https://archive.org/details/mohammedansystem00gwill
Writing Prompt: Compare and contrast Sunni and Shia views on leadership and succession.
Activity: Create a Venn diagram comparing Sunni, Shia, and Sufi traditions.
Texts, Practices, and Cultural Contributions
Session 4: Sacred Texts – Qur’an and Hadith
Objective: Understand the structure, themes, and significance of the Qur’an and Hadith in Islam.
Readings:
- The Qur’an (translated by M. H. Shakir), selected surahs (e.g., Surah Al-Fatiha, Al-Baqarah)
https://archive.org/details/QuranShakirEnglish - Selections from the Hadith (translated by E.H. Palmer)
https://archive.org/details/SelectionsFromTheHadith
Writing Prompt: How do the Qur’an and Hadith together shape Islamic law and ethics?
Session 5: Practices – Salat, Fasting, and Hajj
Objective: Examine the major ritual practices of Islam and their spiritual meaning.
Reading: The Faith of Islam by Edward Sell (chapters on ritual prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage)
https://archive.org/details/faithofislam00selluoft
Writing Prompt: Reflect on the spiritual purpose of one of the practices—Salat, Ramadan fasting, or Hajj—and its communal or personal role.
Activity: Watch a short public domain documentary or film clip on the Hajj and write a response.
Session 6: Cultural Contributions of Islamic Civilization
Objective: Explore how Islamic civilization influenced global science, art, architecture, and philosophy.
Reading: The Legacy of Islam (edited by Sir Thomas Arnold and Alfred Guillaume) – chapters on science, medicine, art, and architecture
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.499996
Writing Prompt: Choose one cultural contribution (e.g., algebra, geometric design, or medical knowledge) and explain its global impact.
Activity: Visual gallery walk – display and analyze images of Islamic architecture, calligraphy, and scientific tools.
Session 7: Culminating Activity – Debate
Objective: Engage in civil discourse on a complex contemporary issue in Islam.
Debate Topic: What should be the role of Sharia law in modern Muslim-majority nations?
Preparation:
- Read excerpts from:
- The Spirit of Islamic Law by Bernard G. Weiss
https://archive.org/details/spiritofislamicl0000weis - Modern Islam in the Modern World (selected public domain essays)
https://archive.org/details/modernislaminmod00aver
Debate Structure:
- The Spirit of Islamic Law by Bernard G. Weiss
- Teams: Pro, Con, Neutral/Moderator
- Roles: Speaker, Researcher, Writer, Rebuttal Specialist
Writing Assignment: Post-debate reflection essay: "How has your perspective on the role of Sharia changed or stayed the same?"