Reason and Revelation in Islam

Subject ISLM90011 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 25-Jul-2016 to 23-Oct-2016
Assessment Period End 18-Nov-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Aug-2016
Census Date 31-Aug-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 23-Sep-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2 hour seminar per week.
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours total

Prerequisites:

Admission to the Honours program or the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) (Islamic Studies specialisation), or permission from the subject coordinator.

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

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

Coordinator

Dr Muhammad Kamal

Contact

Email: muhammad@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Students will be familiar with the rich heritage of Muslim Theology and philosophy. They will explore the development of Islamic theology and philosophy from the early period of Islamic history. At the beginning this subject will examine the rise of theological schools and their contributions to the development of Islamic thought. It covers all major schools of theology and faith. Case studies of specific schools and their methods will be conducted, paying attention to how and in what context they developed. And then it will also focus on the development of Islamic philosophy. Students will study and critically evaluate key features and contributions of prominent schools of Muslim philosophy and the selected writings of major philosophers such as al-Kindi, al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, al-Razi, Ibn Tufayl, Ibn Rushd, and al-Ghazali will be analysed. Selected modern Muslim philosophers will follow, with an added focus on their concerns about the influence of Western philosophers and intellectuals on Muslim thought in contemporary Muslim societies.

Learning Outcomes:
  • explore traditions of Islamic theology and philosophy.
  • analyse and evaluate the contributions of major figures in Islamic theology and philosophy.
  • analyse and comment upon complex intellectual phenomena.
  • present analytical research as structured written arguments.
  • recognize the plurality of global intellectual and cultural traditions and their commonalities.
Assessment:
  • A 1000 word essay due in week 5 (20%)
  • A 4000 word research essay due at the end of teaching period (80%)

Hurdle requirements: Students are required to attend a minimum of 100% of classes in order to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

Majid Fakhry, A History of Islamic Philosophy, New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.

Recommended Texts:

None

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • analyse and comment upon complex intellectual phenomena.
  • present analytical research as structured written arguments.
  • recognize the plurality of global intellectual and cultural traditions and their commonalities.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of Islamic Studies
150 Point Master of Islamic Studies
200 Point Master of Islamic Studies
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Arabic
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Islamic Studies
Islamic Studies
PD-ARTS Arabic
PD-ARTS Islamic Studies

Download PDF version.