RELI 200 - The Qur’an and the Prophet

This course introduces students to the Qur’an (Koran) through diverse perspectives, including through its revelation, assembly as a text, its interpreters, and the Qur’an as a material object. Students will learn about the life of the Prophet Muhammad in conjunction with the revelation of the Qur’an as well as the importance of the Prophet’s own sayings and example in Islamic law and practice. We will examine interpretations of the Qur’an from different chronological, geographical, and gendered perspectives. Students will leave the class with an understanding of the role of the Qur’an for Muslims and Islam historically and in contemporary times, as well as debates surrounding it. We will also examine contemporary expressions of Islamophobia, considering how misunderstandings of the Qur’an and its contents contribute to fears of the text and Islam. (4 Credits)