The Qur'an: An Introduction

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

This subject is an intensive subject that will taught over 7 days.

Students must watch the online lectures before class starts.

Time commitment totals 170 hours.

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For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject is an introduction, in English translation, to the most important text of Islam, the Qur'an, which Muslims regard as the primary source of Islam. Students will study: the origins of the Qur'an, its overall structure and content, major themes, approaches to its interpretation, and its function in Muslim religious, social, cultural and political life. The themes and topics covered (such as God, ethics, women, state, inter-faith relations, violence) should assist students in understanding contemporary debates on the relevance of Islam today.

On successful completion of this subject, students should:

have a good understanding of the origins of the Qur'an, its overall structure and content, major themes, approaches to its interpretation and its functions in Muslim religious and socio-political life;
be able to compare the Quran to other similar scriptural texts of other religions and engage with related Qur'anic discourses from a comparative perspective;
be able to critically examine and analyse a range of Qur'anic discourses keeping in mind the diversity of voices within Muslim tradition, and communicate this orally and in writing.

• A 1000 word class test due in final day of class (30%)
• A class presentation, equivalent to 1,000 words due during the teaching period (20%)
• A 2000 word essay due April 30, 2016 (50%)

Hurdle requirement: Class attendance (lecture and tutorial) 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.

Note: 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.

• Saeed, A. The Qur'an: An Introduction London, Routledge 2008
• Abdel-Haleem, The Qur'an, Oxford 2005

Saeed, A. Interpreting the Qur'an: Towards a Contemporary Approach, Routledge, 2006

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

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. Local tutorial support will be available at all three universities. Available as a breadth subject. Students who have completed 110-211 Introduction to the Qur'an are not eligible to enrol in this subject.