Islam in the West

Subject ISLM30001 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 x 45 min lectures (online) and 1 hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment: 2.5 contact hours/week , 7 additional hours/week. Total of 8.5 hours per week.
Prerequisites: This subject is only available to students completing the final year of a major in Islamic Studies, or those in the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Islamic Studies).
Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None.
Non Allowed Subjects: 110-223
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh

Contact

Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh shahrama@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview:

This subject examines Islam in the West past and present. It explores how Muslims interpret and practice Islam in a culture that is secular and somewhat alien to the culture of Muslim majority countries. Students will study how Muslims in the West negotiate their beliefs on Islam, particularly within the theological and ethico-legal spheres. Part of the subject involves a case study of Muslims in Australia, which will include visits to some local Muslim institutions and interaction with Muslim communities. Students will undertake a small scale research project on Islam and Muslims in the West and present the results in writing.
Objectives:
  • be able to appreciate how Muslims interpret and practice Islam living as minorities in the West
  • understand how Muslims in the West negotiate their religious beliefs, particularly in the theological and ethico-legal spheres
  • understand how this negotiation and interpretation affects institutions such as family, law, education and politics among Muslims in the West
  • be able to appreciate how Muslims carry out this interpretation and negotiation by actively and practically interacting with local Muslim communities
Assessment:

A 4,000-word major essay (due during the examination period) 90% and continuous tutorial participation 10% (throughout the semester).

Class attendance is required for this subject; if you do not attend a minimum of 75% of classes without an approved exemption you will not be eligible for a pass in this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

Shahram Akbarzadeh and Samina Yasmeen (eds) Islam and the West: Reflections from Australia, Sydney: UNSW Press, 2005
Recommended Texts:

Abdullah Saeed, Islam in Australia, Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin, 2003

Abdullah Saeed and Shahram Akbarzadeh (eds), Muslim Communities in Australia, Sydney: UNSW Press, 2001

Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad and Jane I Smith (eds) Muslim Communities in the West: Visible and Invisible, Walnut Creek: Altamira Press, 2002

Shahram Akbarzade, Muslim Women in Australia, MUP, 2010
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • be familiar with research methods. thinking in theoretical and analytical terms.
  • understand social, political, historical and cultural contexts and international awareness and openness to the world.
  • communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically, confidence in self-expression.
Notes: This subject will be taught online by the University of Melbourne. It is offered to students of University of Melbourne, University of Western Sydney and Griffith University, who are completing an Islamic Studies major. Local tutorial support will be available at all three universities. All students completing the last semester of their Islamic Studies major must enrol in this subject Students must be completing an Islamic Studies major.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Islamic Studies
Islamic Studies
Islamic Studies
Islamic Studies Major

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